Regulatory Guide 4.11: Difference between revisions

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{{Adams
{{Adams
| number = ML003739930
| number = ML13350A243
| issue date = 08/31/1977
| issue date = 07/31/1976
| title = Terrestrial Environmental Studies for Nuclear Power Stations
| title = Terrestrial Environmental Studies for Nuclear Power Stations
| author name =  
| author name =  
| author affiliation = NRC/RES
| author affiliation = NRC/OSD
| addressee name =  
| addressee name =  
| addressee affiliation =  
| addressee affiliation =  
Line 10: Line 10:
| license number =  
| license number =  
| contact person =  
| contact person =  
| document report number = RG-4.11
| document report number = RG-4.011
| document type = Regulatory Guide
| document type = Regulatory Guide
| page count = 11
| page count = 9
}}
}}
{{#Wiki_filter:Revision 1 August 1977 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY  
{{#Wiki_filter:U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION                                                                                                                                     July 1976 REGULATORY GUIDE
COMMISSION
OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT
REGULATORY  
                                                                    REGULATORY GUIDE 4.11 TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
GUIDE OFFICE OF STANDARDS  
                                                        FOR NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS
DEVELOPMENT  
REGULATORY  
GUIDE 4.11 TERRESTRIAL  
ENVIRONMENTAL  
STUDIES .FOR NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS  


==A. INTRODUCTION==
==A. INTRODUCTION==
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's policy and procedures for preparing and processing en vironmental impact statements and related docu ments pursuant to Section 102(2)(C)
ixtientiaJl ctivit1JnarTieti            ,ct.,!ts5  mcudine iuddeti -11 extet.
of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law 91 190, 83 Stat. 852) are set forth in 10 CFR Part 51, "Licensing and Regulatory Policy and Procedures for Environmental Protection." Regulatory Guide 4.2, "Preparation of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Power Stations," identifies the information needed by the NRC staff in its assessment of the potential en vironmental effects of a proposed nuclear facility.


This regulatory guide provides technical information for the design and execution of terrestrial en vironmental studies for nuclear power stations.
nAlized custs. of nucicau power statikin construction and The Nuclear Regulatory Conmiits,,n's policy and                                          operation. By identifying importanl envirornn,,znl costs procedures for picparing and proccssing erivirotimental                                        priot to site preparation and statnun construction. the impact statements and related documents pursuant ito                                          costs can be rmduced to acceptable levels by wleclting as- Section 102(2) (C) of the National invironmental Policy                                        appropriate site. revising the station de.i"'or modifying Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-190, 83 Stat. 852) are set                                          operating piocedures.


The information resulting from the studies, as they relate to ecological aspects of site selection, assessment of terrestrial effects of station construction and opera tion, and formulation of related monitoring ac tivities, may be appropriate for inclusion in the appli cant's environmental report.This guide is intended to reflect current practice, i.e., the siting of up to several power plants at a single site. Prior consultation with the staff is recommended if larger-scale "Energy Centers" are contemplated.
forth in 10 C(FR Part SI, "Licensing and Regulatory                                                                                                            C.,
  Policy arid Procedures foi Environmental Prtc'tion.'"                                              In this guide. environmental str4ies aute.4vided into Regulatory Guide 4.2. "Preparation of Environmental                                            four phases: rote Selection. box*                          'Mbdies. cnsitu.tion Reports for Nuclear Power Stations," identifies the                                            monitoring, arid oTibrati*tl                                    . 1 able
                                                                                                                                                                      -rihI shows informnation needed by the NRC staff in its aswscsnment                                        the oruganization foz ,=restual tdies identifying majoi of the potential eavironmental etlects of a lijpoted                                            task.5and their apprt'*).tetim&:hedults.


Although there is a need for a thorough evaluation of environmental impacts, it is important that effort not be needlessly dissipated on programs of limited value. The need for accurate evaluation and timely review of the environmental report makes it essential to focus quickly on meaningful issues and to avoid exhaustive analyses not directly related to station im pacts. This guide recommends site selection assess ments, resource management, source control, and control of effects as means for protecting the ter*Lines indicate substantive changes from previous issue.restrial ecology. The approach recommended for ter restrial surveys begins with broadly based land-use and biotic inventories and then focuses on a limited number of significant environmental issues.
nuclear facility. This regulatory guide provides technical                                          Adversw irpal*.4n t                              Jtlo.gafisrh or ecological Jke inlfornima ion Imothe design and.c.c ecution of eterest rial                                  systems h.c histAoI4y itulted fr omr loss or niodifica.


==B. DISCUSSION==
environmental studies for nuclear power stations. The                                          tititLol                          a4W-lea*
It is important that environmental assessments provide the information needed to estimate and limit potential environmental impacts of nuclear power station construction and operation.
                                                                                                                                          out rtinvtals or toxic chemiicals information resulting from these studies, ai they relate                                        illtot      eti        nrtimt, and dnect desitruction of biota. A
to ecological aspects of site selection, as.sessment of bholcd*Cl,,eil'I nay be expressed at the level of lih terrestrial effects of station construction and operation, :'                                        `1i*, *gaPrtiXrns itrthrouh the collective jrcnponrt.


If important en vironmental impacts are identified prior to site preparation and station construction, these impacts can be reduced to acceptable levels by selecting an ap propriate site, revising the station design, or modify ing operating procedures.
and formulation of related monitorting activitcs. mtay be 4.sins                                                      ,t the system level.. k.xar1-,: of effect- o',t appropriate for inclusion in the applicant's envirot*,S*,, ii)4gvithil organisms include death. redu, :, n of heallh tal report.                          *1or'ltalty,                                                                    accurmulation ofroxi" subs...nces. and
                                                                                              `ta.llteration of reproductive success. Lxa.mples of ecolo.


In this guide, environmental studies are divided into five phases: site selection, baseline studies, decommissioning studies, construction monitoring, and operational monitoring.
Although there is a need for a thorou,0,4i1uait*                                      : gical system efc1TIs include changes in birth mi,death environmental impacts, it is important thaItresouw.09s not                                    rate. changes of toxic ekinent concentrations through- be needlessly dissipated on programs of-.t*iteJ&'%aflu¢.                                      out entire food webs, and changes in population mle ot The need for accuraite evaluation and tun*                                    view of community structure, the environmental report makes it eswrntial to focus                                                  Mos lant and animal sopuletions havc sutficient quickly on Iearingful 'I9 a nd to avoid exhaustive                                                  Modt          pla      ct yn oma k Upu fort            o sshe1s t't,:ie w analyses not directiy fter                            ;.1station impacts. This                reproductive capacity tu make up for loses of a few guide racommindrirtk, C                        Itu ssessments, resource                        mdtvidual. without chanes in 3verage population W.,es management, s.f.c          .* *                  -andcontrol of effects asWhen                                                                          th loss of individual means for ,ro~ting                          terrestrial ecology. The ap- becomes sufficiently great, however, the populattori irs a proach r j061nn62              d f.1 terrestrial surveys begins with                        whorce ttay eas to                                punction em a elf.suytahning.


Table 1 shows the organization for terrestrial studies and identifies ma jor tasks and their approximate time schedules.
broadly                  anll        and biotic inventories and then                          renewable resource. The poplation may then be focuses on1ig*nited number of significant environmental                                      overstressed. and species extinction or undesitable shifts issues.            1Rý                                                                          in community structure may become possible.


Adverse impacts on terrestrial organisms or ecological systems have historically resulted from loss or modification of habitat, release of minerals or tox ic chemicals into the environment, and direct destruc tion of biota. A biological effect may be expressed at the level of the individual organisms or through the collective response of organisms at the system level. Examples of effects on individual organisms include death, reduction of health or vitality, accumulation of toxic substances, and alteration of reproductive success. Examples of ecological system effects include changes in birth or death rates; changes of toxic ele ment concentrations throughout entire food webs; and changes in population size, habitat, or com munity structure.
==B. DISCUSSION==
Excessive population stresses have resulted from It is important (hat environmental assessments pro-                                      natural phenomena, hunting, trapping. draining of wet- vide the information needed to estimate and limit                                              lands, harvesting forests, plowing prairies, widespread USNAC RE.GULATORY GUIDES                                                    Corn"rt.9    Sh.ould 104 so-t      tothi swc..tsv of t"        rnte~,   Ua I    cls
1%g,.tato,v Guide* Ole iltus4 to d~renit.h and _4119 4*AO0 to~e~'            0.4t.,.~
                                                                                    Outwitg:o              Sam"^t.4Octwg                          DCic                            e mefthods acce~lbillt 990tIle i9C stetI Of 'rnPtlt.ttt~tg 11009to Parts Of %as Comnrn16,00 S togujtbt.ofts. to dol~tes~bgtetVha            'J&" air Ito~Ot.t ft *Vt              The quid"e.l,.e,1'ttsfla nthf            fftobroa8d ff9.softe eo~
sting tiepc-fic ptoblernt at posttuteled &cc~de'tt a' to Po'tde guidane. to .o~tt.


USNRC REGULATORY
coots Regulatory Gwtlfs 11te not subst.1tooto,              elalto'te. oed Itemt9,9'c*
GUIDES Comments should be sent to the Secretary of the Commission, US. Nuclear Regu latory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555, Attention:
                                                          mot                                    I Power 01tescs.'e                              Pioduct witth thte t %a'tt toqu,Irtd Melhads and Solutionse different #-rn too".se    Sol. OtI              40sc      W4 7#11 Arttorf                7 tlia guides will be accoptebie itlt ihyotovide a bastm#to ttt. 9.~donqlt9'44001% to                3 ul n Iloeii            Ftectttt~es        S etit crostions Meot!?
Docketing and Service Regulatory Guides are issued to describe and make available to the public methods Branch. acceptable to the NRC staff of implementing specific parts of the Commission's regulations, to delineate techniques used by the staff in evaluating specific problems The guides are issued in the following ten broad divisions or postulated accidents.
Ike ilstuatco or cotnounvrc of a Ostrn't 0, hetrn. kV th~eCotrnntlwt..                            4                    an SIT..9                I A.mtnw Commtentts and 1W994geetlot 110,  o        .... 't    -, titeog 9-69.i% 61* mtCOu.aged1          a matoene 6`14 Pont Pltodtlan'            90Conoete Mt all totes. .1,d guide -,It be ,oI.as          *00'oo.,etu. In4 aeccOM'tOodet torn"
tm.e.ts and to t*tt~ct neow-Itai-,atm' o    a,      .. ec        O,w4ea    Commen~eton~            capt," at pubttl"04 gwude mnaybe obtotp bl, tantlan, 004"h11 tttdeetag fth flits quid*. .9 received wittvin About two moths'tI.After its 1.fOsu~* w~ttbe Par                  tbW~ovans dl"~ Tofthe US9t~l          ftoctla egltory Cornvstewo. Waettotp t 0 DC
ftc.1a'tV useful to oisetuht..q the need to- a. soetiy eiruon                                      2Mý Aite..ytott D..eo'w. etfhte at Simteo.4de eonp


or to provide guidance to applicants.
9 TABLE 1 TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
                                            RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION
                                      AND OPERATION OF NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS
Phase                                        Major Task                                    Time When Task Pcrformed*
                                            Regional land-use analysis                    Prior to apphcation for CP when Site selection candidate areas are being selected Local land-use analysis                      Prior to application for CP when preferred site is being sIcicted Baseline studies at the                    Biological iivcnborics                        Prior to application for CP when proposed site                                                                              ER is being prepared;m"ay continuc into period after CtP issuance (bui before OL issuarnce)
Construction monitoring                    Monitoring of construction                    DMring period bet-'eco CP issuance at the :approved site                      practice                                      and OL issuance Operational monitoring                      Problem-oliented monitoring                    After OL is issued at the approved site                        (short-term and continuing programs)


Regulatory Guides are not substitutes
* CP    = construction permit ER = environmental report OL = operating license dispersion of toxic substances, and other activities This        engineering surveys to select candidate sites for tht does nut imply that these activities are always incom-            nuclear station. Local land-use anralysi3 is directed        u patible with the well-being of natural systems. Experi-          candidate sites and is used in conjunction with engi-W
[or regulations, and compliance with them is not required.
ence has shown that good management often permits the              nec .ing consideratims to sclect a preferred site. Site coexistence of desired ecological systems with various            selection surveys of terrestrial ecology are coordinated enterprises.                                                      with prelinidnary engineering. studies. The information needed could be ob!ained from such sources as aerial Site Selection                                                    photographs. topographic maps, reconnaissance, litera- ture, and regional or local zoning and planning data. Site The results of site selection surveys are useful in          ,election surveys aaa performed with the objective of identifying potential Impacts of station siting, construe-        providing data for resource nunagement analysis, rather tion, and operation on terrestrial ecological systems and        than for detailed functional analysts of ecosystems.


1. Power Reactors 6. Products Methods and solutinons different from those set out in the guides will be accept- 2. Research and Test Reactors 7. Transportation able if they provide a basis for the findings requisite to the issuance or continuance
permit evaluation of alternatives that could reduce ad- verse effects. In this guide, the suggested site selection            Terrestrial criteria at the regional level what are needed procedures* are limited to terrestrial ecoloey.
3. Fuels and Materials Facilities
8. Occupational Health of a permit or license by the Commissaon.


4. Environmental and Siting 9. Antitrust Review 5. Materials and Plant Protection
in the selection of candidate sites include the extent of valuable farmland in the region and the altematives avail- Site selection surveys may be descriptive in nature. In      able for siting on land of lower utility, the extent of describing biota, emphasis is generally placed on ecolo-          valuable wildlife habitat in the region and alternatives to gically significant groupings of organisms and manage-            Its use, and the extent of valuable forests in the region ment of resources rather than on ecological detail. it is        and alternatives to their use. Also needed is information important, however, that the investigations rapidly              on the current status of land use and zoning plans within focus on matters of special sensitivity, rather than              the region. This includes an accounting of all land within retaining a broad and diffitse approach.                          the region in major categories such as. agricultural land, forest land, urban areas. highway-s, and airporls.
10. General Comments and suggestions for improvements in these guides are encouraged at all Requests flor single copies of issued guides (which may be reproduced)
or for place times, and guides will be revised, as appropriate, to accommodate comments and ment on an automatic distribuation list for single copies of future guides in specific to reflect new information or experience.


This guide was revised as a result of divisions should be made in writing to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, substantive comments received from the public and additional staff review. Washington.
Site selection surveys can be conduct'.s in two phases, regional land-use and local land-u:.-," analysis.             The selection process examines reasonable oppor- Regional land-use analysis is used in conjunction with            tunities for utilizing sites that have minimal impact on the diversity of regional land use, present and future.


D.C. 20555, Attention:
*See also Regulatory Guide 4.7, "General Site Suitability Cri-     Preservation of a range of options for land use is teria for Nuclear Power. Stations."                              important for the consideration of biologically rare or.s
Director, Division of Document Control.*I
                                                                4.11-2
TABLE 1 OPERATION, TERRESTRIAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
STUDIES RELATED TO THE SITING, CONSTRUCTION, AND DECOMMISSIONING
OF NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS Phase Site selection Baseline studies at the proposed site Decommissioning studies Construction monitoring at the approved site Operational monitoring at the approved site MajorTask Regional land-use analysis Ecological analysis Local land-use analysis Ecological analysis Biological inventories Planning station design and construction prac tices to reduce impacts Reclamation analysis Planning station design and construction prac tices to reduce impacts Monitoring of construc tion practices Problem-oriented monitor ing (short-term and con tinuing programs)Time When Task Performed*
Prior to application for CP when candidate areas are being selected Prior to application for CP when preferred site is being selected Prior to application for CP when ER is being pre pared; may continue into construction period. Prior to application for CP when ER is being prepared During period between CP issuance and OL issuance After OL is issued* CP = construction permit ER = environmental report OL = operating license (
Most plant and animal populations have sufficient reproductive capacity to make up for losses of a few individuals without changes in average population sizes or community structure.


When the loss of in dividuals becomes sufficiently great, however, the population as a whole may cease to function as a self sustaining, renewable resource.
unique areas. A unique wildljfe babita.1 may be und':six-      .in su:e      re'ioits. Howvver.  cooling towers could be able for a site since to use it could furodose oppof-          objectionlabe in sceruc aicas where a coohng lake could tunities for propagation of wildlife. scientifk" study,          be an aseiet. Visible plunes from coolirn tovtts could be natural history study, recreatu'tr, and public enjuyrnent      ntoze Abjvctivmb!e e ironrstentirly at sov            sitcs th*n of wildlife.                                                    it others becausc Of ground Itogs or sraig, l'ible 2 is an example matrix that could be to.d it bAa.ncing the Federal, State, regional, and local planning authoritis        &I-f factorV. i may be consulted to dct.ermine the existence and location of areas withiri the region that have. icen                FKY th.e lWca studies. .nkcrasi.ng delail 1s ncedcd in tOle dedicated to the public interest or areas in which 5iting      tatbi:iion of plant and anmal speci-e uegun during the would be in conflict with preexisting zoning plars.            rei.nun.d sunrey'. T'h. specis list mayxbe enla-,ed omorn Examples of such areas include dedicated patrks and            kanvidge or pdincipd habnaials %f the sites, re,'nt~nai.--
forests, especially produetive fartland, places whe're          tsance. ttw literature.. anid 1        t    .At      thi s wtg' it specialty c-rops are produced. rate but as yet undedicated      is tr-pi-qtwit to esutabbsh whterhe there te m>b4wiovs forests and wildlife habitats, scenic arcai, and wetland,.      differences aiuntg sites with ,rsp-,et to endAngercd
                                                                3pcjc. es, gamn. waitmals. or ,other ialportant spc'ies of More specilfic land-use classes are needed in t~Rwfucal    habi*tr.m The ,tvruwett ftr c4ch size should Jnclude surveys than in the regional surveys, but they should          c'-u iderariorn o~f the a
* ot prelefled habitat of be based on information obtained by reconnsance                im*utrutant w4eicies (iie Secki'n 22 of. Regt" rio"y Guide rather than detailed binlogical invcntory. Land-use cate-        4.2) that would be, adver*eiy affected.


The population may then be overstressed, and species extinction or un desirable shifts in community structure may become possible.
gories may include farms. fields. secondary succeisiort (indicating dominant species), foiests, and residentiaJ.            tnt'ointutivr. ic uircd fwn r-k-vsiorcirtlo~i t- industrial, and commercial areas. If aerial photognphs          mmAnilm  in nature tortial. for. candidate site setkctiuf.


Excessive population stresses have resulted from natural phenomena, hunting, trapping, draining of wetlands, harvesting forests, plowing prairies, widespread dispersion of toxic substances, and other activities.
are used for local land.u5c analysis, it is important that    DetaiLead cormidoi routes wt!.' not norrnall. be Known it their scale is sufficient to present views of the candidate    this stage. Nevertheless. tvnisi&-citiom needs to be gi'en sites and their inunediate environs.                            to prtIsbblb c0,or        IteI'fh, nid YIaTuurl barriers, imllpac on lai d use. o.*, utits for conubi*s*ig. ne'w transmission Major soil data for each sioe being conrsidei*ed may be    lir.es with pree.xisting tourees, and      tbeltiC 0ffects in the obtained from existing literature or thirough recofltais-        wetectic.r of candidate sites..
santce it' not otherwise available. Soil Counrvtion Service offices are usually able to .upply sufficient                Tabie 3 is wa example matrix that could be used in Information. Information may be %upplied as a soil              wei*hnng and balancing altematihe sites. Site %lecriun ts association map that is keyed to a t ab!t of descriptive        dependent on a wide range of ficlors other th~an those information.                                                    rclating to tvrrestrial e'ology. In .ome c seCS    the weirring and balancing of Al factors may rt.mult in a selctiwn thtr The selection of a cooling method for the propsed          is les3 than optimum by renres'tial ecologic.l cJi1em1a. I.n plant is an important consideration in itle selection.        these cases the need for suhsequent no*amilTcning ptrtans Cooling reservoirs may require loss of land, which may          may be greater in the case of mote nearly optimum be unacceptable compared to the use of coolinp towers          choices. tomever, norve of the candidate sites shiould be OLE 2 FACTORS CONSIDERED IN THE SELECTION OF
                                            SITES AND COOLING METHODS
                                              Once.Througts                    COOlinS            Cowling            Spray Environmental Variable                          Cooling                          LAke            Towei              Canals Farn-land Woodland Wasteland Coastland Wetland Special Wildlife Habitats Preserves and Parks Aesthetic Impacts
                                                            4.11-3 W


This does not imply that these activities are always incompatible with the well-being of natural systems. Experience has shown that good manage ment often permits the coexistence of desired ecological systems with various human enterprises.
TABLE 3 SELECTION OF SITES: TERRESTRIAL FACTORS*
  Factor                                              Site A                  Site B                  Site C
  Land use Farmland Woodland Wildlife iHabitat Unique or Rare Habitats Area of Site Transmission Corridors
'Terrestrial Ecolog Inportant Species Present Endangered and Threatened Species Present OUnits %houldbe quantitative whenever appropriate: hWCveC, judgmenta3 eMr6      are acveptatlc if necde4..
located in critical, unique, of highly valuable haibitat          struction ot operation This judgernt should be based areas.                                                            on examination ot each            e-e*sl us"ng the criteria cited here and on professional biolo:cal ltetrpretation. Cons- rhe goal of the regional and local land-use surveys is        derations include the biolo cal reason for timportance the selection of a preferred site that does not have                and the link between the nuclear station and thc critical habitats or habitats in short local supply. Any            organisrm The spvcies considered important are those site selected, of course, %,liresult in the loss of some            that meet the d&fmition in Regu*tcrry Guide 4.12 and habitat and its associated residents. This loss is assessed        that are linked adversely to the station in some through an inventory of species present.                            reasonable way. These may require further quantitative effort in the baseline studies and operational monitoring surveys.


Site Selection The results of site selection surveys are useful in identifying potential impacts of station siting, con struction, and operation on terrestrial ecological systems and permit evaluation of alternatives that could reduce adverse effects. In this guide, the sug gested site selection procedures'
Baseline Studies                                                        It is important that judgment be exercised in selecting the thine for initiating quantitative population studies if Baseline studies of the preferred site, including              they are needed. Where construction effects are antrkips- transmission corridors, are needed to fully describe the            ted. quantitative studies should beg& in the bairline site and to establish a basis for predicting the impact of          phase. Where an effect of station operation is expected.
are limited to ter restrial environmental considerations.


Site selection surveys may be descriptive in nature.  In describing biota, emphasis is generally placed on ecologically significant, groupings of organisms and management of resources rather than on ecological detail. It is important, however, that the investiga tions rapidly focus on matters of special sensitivity, rather than retaining a broad and diffuse approach.
construction or operation. Baseline studies may be used              it would be best to defer quantitative baseline studies for comparison with later construction or operational                until some time prior to operation to ensure reasonable studies.                                                            compatibility with the operational studies. It will usually be adequate to bracket the per d of anticipated impact Biological studies of the proposed site are made in             with I or 2 years of prior studies and an appropriate advance of plant construction or operation. The qualita-            term of following studies.


Site selection surveys can be conducted in two phases: regional land-use analysis and local land-use analysis.
tive notations of station and animal abundance included In the baseline inventory are normally sufficient. Quanti-              Properly designed studies will avoid placinr undue tative measurement of population density Is not usually            emphasis on certain easily accessible groups of orn- needed as part of the species Inventory unless profes-              isms. Most species of insects. for example, are ecolo- sional judgment based on field study leads to a reason-             gically important In local food webs. However, species able conclusion that one or more populations of                    that cannot reasonably be judged threatened by the Important species could be adversely affected by con-               nuclear station or that are not likely to become of              4
                                                              4.11-4


Regional land-use analysis is used in con junction with engineering surveys to select candidate areas for the nuclear station. Local land-use analysis is directed to candidate sites and is used in conjunc tion with engineering considerations to select a preferred site. Site selection surveys of terrestrial ecology are coordinated with preliminary engineering studies. The information needed could be obtained from such sources as aerial photographs, topographic maps, reconnaissance, literature, and regional or local zoning and planning data. Site selection surveys are performed with. the objective of providing data for resource analysis, rather than for detailed func tional analysis of ecosystems.
econom1ic o.1  r public health significance because of            it is normally continued for at least I year. Table 4 construction ot operation need not be studied quatiti-             suggests chemicals that are usually considered ini plan.


'See also Regulatory Guide 4.7, "General Site Suitability Criteria for Nuclear Power Stations." Terrestrial criteria at the regional level that are needed in the selection of candidate areas include the extent of prime and unique farmland 2 in the region and the alternatives available for siting on land of lower utility; the occurrence and extent of critical wildlife habitat' in the region and alternatives to its use; and the extent of valuable forests, prairies, wetlands, and deserts in the region and alternatives to their use. Also needed is information on the current status of land-use and zoning plans within the region.  This may be done through the use of maps, aerial photographs, and tabulations within the region.  Identification of major categories such as agricultural land, forest land, urban areas, parklands, highways, and airports is useful.The selection process examines reasonable oppor tunities for using sites that have minimal impact on the diversity of regional land use, present and future.  Preservation of a range of options for land use is im portant for the consideration of biologically rare or unique areas. A unique or critical wildlife habitat may be undesirable for a site since to use it could foreclose opportunities for propagation of wildlife, scientific study, natural history study, recreation, and public enjoyment of wildlife.
tatively beyond the initial iniventories. Rtodeints are also        ninlg the program.


Federal, State, regional, and local planning authorities are logical sources to be consulted to determine the existence and location of areas within the region that have been dedicated to the public in terest or areas in which siting would be in conflict with preexisting zoning'plans.
ecologically imnportasit food web organisnis. However.


Examples of such areas include dedicated parks and forests; productive farmland;
quantitative population mleasuremrients are riot needed as              Drift from saltgatet or brackish water cooling towers long as there is no reason to believe that station                  contains NaC I and Ltthet salts. Tile baseline chemical construction or operation will have an effect on their              measurements establish the Ni and Cl content of soils populations beyond that caused by the loss of habitat.             and plants in the expected drift field of cooliig towers that use seawater or brackish water. Baseline soil Cettain station site and designs have required special measurements noirmall , include the conductivity of envitonmental assssriment effort. Thiee i,'..ude sites              saturated extracts ani' phI of samples obtained froni tire With large cooling take.. or rew'tvoirs and planis having          expected drift field.
places where specialty crops are produced;
unique but as yet undedicated forests and wildlife habitats;
scenic areas; wetlands;
and unique mineralogical, paeleontological, or geological areas. More specific land-use classes are needed in the local surveys than in the regional surveys, but they should be based on information obtained by recon naissance rather than detailed biological inventory.


Land-use categories may include farms; fields; secon dary successional areas (indicating dominant species);
ckrO t ing trowets, part tolarly itf the wate, soIrce Is vi-wvatcf or0b0a1: isfl wate,. These arc di.d        ii, more detail in the t(1i4wing i:Ctuons.                                        It' the driflt frotr either fre-liwatler or saltwater towcr is likely to rt          ollal i.. .lwk
forests; and residential, industrial, and com mercial areas. If aerial photographs are used for local land-use analysis, it is important that their scale is sufficient to present views of the candidate sites and their immediate environs.
                                                                                                      ,     . ccs, their ttoficellrr iJtinlls It is iniplortant that the baseline stildivs of powcr          are Irreasurmd ultless it 1,; c!.t: tit          the allillrts irrid stations having proposed mnan-mrade coiling laks con-              concelrtraltlons ;ire SttflitCw r low ri precl ode h*rtlh sider physical anrd Olvi:ical ,elation.shlps bctweei the          short.trerf t arnd cUlrlrrrr'      ., adverse effects. Advirse water shed and lake; use of a new, habitwt by birds,              biological eft:iecs cart rrstrally herfiled ot withr lessorn.


Soil association data for each site being considered should be supplied.
insects, and other anirriws in both bieeficial and adverse        able certainly ri        ros t elv' re nis aind crt rpr*mmrids found aspects: and the potential for successful rehabilitation of        it n tire whei the expected additions corthrred with the lake basin if the station is decommissioned. Both              jreexistifliz tortell wotrld rot raise tlhe concetllliration at'
beneficial and adverse effects of the lake on the environ-          life Itoxrc subslanrce oulside lhie ranlge oii vithitlioll notmally found in Ilie hiota or soils of tlie regionr menrt s101uld be consideTed, Water quality of the artificial like riu.v te intluenced          Chemical analyses of' soils, plants, and animals in the no, only It source water qualiry but also by ,elatioh.            drift field of freshwater cooling towers ate riot usually ships with aoils and the surrounding landscape. Develop-          needed when all of the following apply: (I ) the domi- nirrt of a watershed management plan ib needed as well            mant salts ate hatmiless mixtutres of hiolocieral ltrlimrrents as as an estirate of the amoutltl        of rtwirffi oi" dissolved    slhowwn in Table 4. (2) the expected deposition ieyoild substances and soil into the lake ftorn the surrounding            the nearest site boundary is less thar 20 kglha-yy of landscape,                                                          mixed salts, and (3) Lii," drilt does riot cOntlin toxic eletent*s o corCmpounds it amolntois thalt could be hazardous to plants o, atnln*ds either b% direct or A new tesrvo*i forms a new htabitat for plants and indirect exposure over tIhe expected lifelintie of the animals. Waterfowl may be attracted in suhstantial facility.


Soil Conservation Service offices :The terms unique and prime farmland, as used in this guide, are discussed in "Land Inventory and Monitoring Memorandum-3," Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, October 15, 1975. 'The terms critical habitat and endangered species, as used in this guide, are defined in the "Endangered Species Act of 1973" (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543, 87 Stat. 884).4.11-3 I
numbiexrs during their normal migration and their nfigra- tion habits may be altered, e.g., by overwinteting in a northern chnmte om a warni.water lake. Waterfowl                        Usually, relference specimens of' soils, plants, and attracted to a lake may cause econrnit. loss to agricul-          animals for possible future aiilysis ;are retaihed iii cases ture by their feeding activities and may cause degrada.            where it is determinied tihat drift presert rs a chemilcl lion of the lake water quality ifom their metabolic                halTzard to the envillolniltnt. The spýcirtietis tilay consist wastes.                                                           of subsarirples of matertal that were collected prior to tower uperatirn afnd analyzed for baseline data. The Evaporative cooling towers affect ecosystems by              stored samples are adequately protected for analytical
are usually able to supply sufficient information.
  &eposition of drift containing dissolved minerals oft the          pu rpose s.


In formation may be furnished as a soil association map that is keyed to a table of descriptive information which includes a listing of soil management capabilities.
landscape or by production of fog. Drift may be beneficdal or adverse depending on the chemlical c.m.


The selection of a cooling method for the proposed plant is an important consideration in site selection.
pound# and elements being deposited and the amounts of depostion. The baseline program is designed to                  Constnrction Monitoring evwduatt the, potential effects of drift and to establish reference n*easmierenrts for comparison with later opera.              Biological monitoring of imnportant species Is necess.


Cooling reservoirs may require loss of land, which may be unacceptable compared to the uges of cooling towers in some regions. However, cooling towers could be objectionable in scenic areas where a cooling lake could be an asset. Visible plumes from cooling towers could be more objectionable environmentally at some sites than at others because of ground fogs or icing. Table 2 is an example matrix that could be used in balancing the above factors.
tieOed mnfltoring obsenatlons by determinIng the                  ary if unavoidable construction practice causes a threat amounts and kinds of alirborne chen*icals being deposi.            to some natural population or ecosystem that could ted on site prior to cooling tower operation. Acceptable          extend beyond the bounds of the area actually dedicated data could be obtained from existing sources of inform.a          to construction or associated activities. it such cases, tion or from monthly sampling of collectors that collect          studies may be designed to document the impact and rboth    dry and wet fallout. If a sampling program is used,        develop possible corrective actions.


TABLE 2 FACTORS CONSIDERED
4.11.5
IN THE SELECTION
OF SITES AND COOLING METHODS Environmental Once-Through Variable Cooling Cooling Lake Cooling Spray Tower Canals Table 3 is an example matrix that could be used in weighing and balancing alternative sites. Site selec tion is dependent on a wide range of factors other than those relating to terrestrial ecology. In some cases, the weighing and balancing of all factors may result in a selection that is less than optimum by ter restrial ecological criteria.


In these cases, the need for subsequent monitoring programs may be greater than in the case of more nearly optimum choices.
I --      I          I -  I
                                                                TABLE 4 ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS OF POSSIBLE CONCERN
                                            IN CHEMICAL MONITORING PROGRAMS
                                                    FOR TERRESTRIAL SYSTEMS
                                                                                                      Rt BtvOiosoicsl kafrard
                                                                                                                                  0
      Group
                                                                                                .Wlnot vi r.Q r"-. z


However, the candidate sites should not be located in critical, unique, or highly valuable habitat areas if it can be avoided.
====x. cpt in====
                                                        4  3      4 *    4 Ca, Mg, K, -kn Nil cron iti rienI
                                              Cu. Zn. Co, 8. Mo..V..                          No hs"~Ji              0Whu~a~ of Fe. I"
                                                                                                tsakwrns ye !otweiale    to hugh Chemical compounds                      ,NJ. C, F. 11CO) Co    2                        ktinor flhk at Winez'r'
      commonly found in envirom*wnt. sonic                                                                            dpen~icr  c'nwircji '4m required by animals
                                                                                              1.oQdum saall ruve Irxh rrk Toxic                                    Ph, I1g. Cd, Cr. Ai                            Pie.vrn~ed high. bologicila risk atI ail ~.ic ~auii albjvc thow'i ntmally found in nsture.


The goal of the regional and local land-use surveys is the selection of a preferred site the use of which has minimal environmental impact and does not conflict with other societal uses. Any site selected, of course, will result in the loss of some habitat and its as sociated residents.
Bijocides added to                      All                                            Preiurned high hi~nlopjcal risk cuoling wate.s                                                                          if Present in cooing tower drift.


This loss is assessed through an in ventory of species present. Societal uses are balanced by consultation with planning bodies and by reference to pertinent statutes and regulations.
Operasionall Mon~itoring                                                        C, REGULATORY POSITION
        Monitoring after coimnl ence n!ihtof station opera-                i. It is important to co.rdinate all the programs tions is intended to determine whether or not there are            discussed in Regulatory Guides 4.1. -Program. for Mdont- adverse biological effects attributable to station opera-          toting Radioactivity in the Environs of Nuclear Power tions. This monitoring program is outlined in detail in            Plants," and 4.2, "Preparation of Enritonrental Reports the technical specifications that arc issued in connection        for Nuclear Powmer Stations'" Since precise prediction.


TABLE 3 Farmland Woodland Wasteland Coastland Wetland Special Wildlife Habitats Preserves and Parks Esthetic Impacts For the local studies, it is important to establish whether there are obvious differences among sites with respect to endangered species, game animals, or other impQrtant species or habitats.
with the station operating license. The scope of these            and assessments of impacts on terrestrial ecologicil studies is determined by the degree of direct linkage              systems are not allways p,.ssible, reasonable professictra between the proposed station and the terrestrial eco-              interpretations ýhould be made v*hen quantitative pre- system. It is not necessary to hypothesize vague effects          diction is impossible.


The assessment for each site should include consideration of the areas of preferred habitat of important species (see Section 2.2 of Regulatory Guide 4.2) that would be adversely affected.
or to undertake a program to measure a phenomenon that has no reasonable relationship to station operation.


Information required for transmission corridors is similar in nature to that for candidate site selection.
However, when an adverse relationship between station operation and a terrestrial community Is reasonably thought to exist, a thorough evaluation is necessary. This            2. Adequate assessment of current land-use status evaluation is usually started during site selection or            should show (by a table, for example) major l-and-use baseline survey stages and continued after commence-              categories and areas devoted to each category along ment of station operation.                                        with aerial photographs showing the same categories.


4 Detailed corridor routes will not be known at this stage. Nevertheless, consideration needs to be given to probable corridor length, natural barriers, impact on land use, opportunities for combining new trans mission lines with preexisting routes, and esthetic ef fects in the selection of candidate sites. 'The Commission has under review a petition for rulemaking filed on September
When data are not available from existing records, an There may be cases In which no important impact on             acceptable means of acquiring them would be through the terrestrial ecological community is anticipated. When          the use of aerial photographs in conjunction with such cases are adequately supported. there may be                 ground reconnaissance. The scale of photographs no necessity for terrestrial monitoring during operation.          should be appropriate to the degree of detail required.
15, 1975, requesting that the Commission amend its regulations to clarify the extent of the Commission's regulatory authority over the construction and routing of transmission lines, and to clarify the extent to which the environmental impact of such lines and equipment must be considered in the environmental im pact of the licensing of a particular nuclear facilit


====y. Factor SELECTION ====
4.11.6
OF SITES: TERRESTRIAL
FACTORS6 Site A Site B SiteC Land Use Farmland Woodland Wildlife Habitat Unique or Rare Habitats Area of Site Transmission Corridors Terrestrial Ecology Important Species Present Endangered and Threatened Species Present Baseline Studies Baseline studies of the preferred site, including transmission corridors, are needed to fully describe the site and to establish a basis for predicting the im pact of construction or operation.


Baseline studies may be used for comparison with later construction or operational studies as well as during decommis sioning of the station.
3. Di)ussioi    of  .Ails shoulk inclode ussociatimn              If cooling towers arte being considered, the mineral na~nws.' c~apbill'        elasscs,#  and p~erc'entge or" sil          conzent ot      the cooling water supply should be coverage by eack amociatiun. 1Whn lliwunlmlts .;l*ssucij.            determined in lte baseline studies. An estimte should tlols of ,iiilo extent 1."C prcot li. it is acceptable to              ti" made of the amounts and dispersion of salts accouilt for 10 to I Slyfl    o, the total utea in a tiui:ella-    expected to be deposited froni the towers. The neous cukgoiii. . rxcept for areas of ci;ique %alue.                eistimate should t., based oin cooling water q1ualiy.


Biological studies of the proposed site are made in advance of station construction or operation.
Dktrilc,, ¢onlsiderationtof soils and t11e1 productioin              maunufa:t.urc r's specificationss to* drift release fronm the potential is necessary fot biles located iln areas that are           towers, concentration factors, and prevadiin              ceteono.


The 'Units should be quantitative whenever appropriate:
especially productivc of agiicu tirfal or fotwstty prod.               logical conditions at the site, Meteorological disperswon uctI .                                                               models atre useful to obtain estimates of drift deposition.
however, judgmental entries are acceptable if needed.4.11-4 qualitative notations of plant and animal abundance included in the baseline inventory are normally suf ficient. Quantitative measurement of population den sity is not usually needed as part of the species inven tory unless qualified professional judgment based on -' field study leads to a reasonable conclusion that one or more populations of important species could be adversely affected by station construction or opera tion. This judgment should be based on examination of each species using the criteria cited here and on professional biological interpretation.


Considera tions include the biological reason for importance and the link between the nuclear station and the organism.
Elsthiated drift deposition fronl coouling tuweis may be
      4. lbldogical momuitrig prtjigam.s sho,:h1 he inlioaly          Plotted on a base map or graph centered on the towers devisd Io b0v sci, 1I        i ri.:vedhes to detctI k1.lesil-        and showing isopleths of salt deposit io


The species considered important are those that meet the definition in Regulatory Guide 4.2 and that are linked adversely to the station in some reasonable way. These may require further quan titative effort in the baseline studies and in the con struction and operational monitoring surveys.
====n. The maps====
4ble Milects. If aidvcrsc biological ftle,'ts are dctecled.           should have a radius sufficient to show the ointstiat dc-taied ito aitic hf4h4giuhiJ "nd e"olohg.ka analyses                which -the amountt of drilft tomm the lower fall within itlay hlie IriiUicd to deieimijle cattse anid t) devise              thle normal range of annual variation of backgtound I('.".tR'    Ii ;3dVerseC 1t¢l t1 l lc lot dcltected qHatll U        deposition from other sources. They should also show tative studies are rot neredad.                                      thc vegetation types that occur in the drift field.


It is important that judgment be exercised in selecting the time for initiating quantitative popula tion studies if they are needed. Where construction effects are anticipated, quantitative studies should begin in the baseline phase. Where an effect of station operation is expected, it would be best to defer quan titative studies until some time prior to operation to ensure reasonable compatibility with the operational studies. It will usually be adequate to bracket the period of anticipated impact within I or 2 years of prior studies and an appropriate term of following studies that would be determined in consultation with the staff. Properly designed studies will avoid placing undue emphasis on certain easily accessible groups of organisms.
The sjic,ýwý invenlory of tile site should include                  Reco-lnaissance iand intpectioi of Woh.wa in Ihliit imlpt*litan 1wihi las id norirnal scastoitu variationS. Lo-          field beforc and a'fter cooling tower operation is ait1Ci:11,1 call, pro)milnt 0i1limporlanlt ,asculat plants, fiaintials,          Icornmended It' delecltion ot" pi:;sible adverse tlfTects birds repuies, amphiblans. inwects, and other plants and             of drift. The baseline hnI.neclion should be caitied out iy animnals should be included. The invenlory should he                  specialists In; biology workingg systC t'liltically foillt check.


Most species of insects, for example, are ecologically important in local food webs. However, species that cannot reasonably be judged threatened by the nuclear station or that are not likely to become of economic or public health significance because of station construction or operation need not be studied quantitatively beyond the initial inventories.
terisonably cormnpelbe hut may be terrinated when addi.              lists of possible advetse effects% In the coniunily, tioiq field effort no lo  k.gr yields significant numbers of        Scasonal aerial and giound-level photographs in color or previoisly unobstn-cd tpecles.                                      inf.ared false color of iwrilanetit vegetation plots are often useful aids. Quanttiatlse chemical analysis of The inventory of inv,,ctsNieed not account for all              plants, animals, and soils arc needed if chemical deposits spCeie FiMce it RmRybN po,,lble oIQfind previouVly                  are expected to exceed toxic or injurious thrcsholds.


Rodents are also ecologically important food web organisms.
wjitabulated species for years after the beginning of the            Population monitoring of selected species could also he study. Insect surveys should provide Information on                  needed in such cases.


However, quantitative population measurements are not needed as long as there is no reason to believe that station construction or operation will have an ef fiect on their populations beyond that caused by the loss of habitat.
important specics such as disease vectors, pests. and pollinating insects. Interpretation of insect data should                The assessment of coolinig lakes should include a inclu.de whether or not populations could he altered, detailed consideration ol the effects of land diversion oin Willh advers consequences Io alnimls, vegetation, or local, regional, 31nd Staie agriculitual prodctlI0ion, foresl humans, by construction or operation of the station.


Certain station sites and designs have required special environmental assessment effort. These in clude sites with large cooling lakes or reservoirs and plants having cooling towers, particularly if the water source is seawater or brackish water. These are dis cussed in n;ore detail in the following sections.
production, on rmc teat loital uses. The assessment should include both adveise and beneficial aspects of cooling Protectton of terrestrial syxtenri is usually adequate lake onstruction, Where a cooling lake: Is pitoposcd. ithe when it can be shown that (I) habitat losses or                       ba.eline studies should Include a prelimInury assessnent alterations are insignificant to populations of Important            of the potential for rechtination of the lake boltton for species in the regional or local context, (2) cheotical              agricultural, ccologlcad, or forestry use after decotninis.


It is important that the baseline studies of power stations having proposed man-made cooling lakes consider physical and chemical relationships between the watershed and lake; use of a new habitat by birds, insects, and other animals of both beneficial and adverse aspects; and the potential for successful rehabilitation of the lake basin if the station is decommissioned.
emissions from the station ate sufficiently small to                  sloning. It Is not necessary, however, ito prejudge tuluue permit reasonable assurance that no adverse effect will u11 of the lake site It is sufficient to establish whether occur, and (3) no mechinism exists for causing uin-                  the option exists to reclalt the site for other pioducLtivC
tended destruction of organisms, or its occurrence Is uses or whether tile creation of the lake consiltutes an infrequent enough to give reasonable assurance that irretrievable change In land use.


Both beneficial and adverse effects of the lake on the environment should be considered.
whole populations will nol be adversely affected.


Water quality of the artificial lake may be in fluenced not only by source water quality but also by relationships with soils and the surrounding land scape. Development of a watershed management plan is needed as well as an estimate of the amount of runoff of dissolved substances and soil into the lake from the surrounding landscape.
Environmental protection should be achieved by                      The asscssinenl should also include a report of the control of common Sources of environmental effects.                  number of hectares of the lake site that will feittain These Include soil erosion, siltation, use of herbicides.            undisturbed during construction, thle number of hectares dust and noise during construction, and others.                      and vegetation that will be disturbed, the source of Biological conequences can usually be prevented or                    "borrow" material for dike construction, and the man- reduced to acceptable levels through proper manage-                  agement of' topsoil removed during constructiion. Use of rent.                                                              topsoil stripped fronm the lake bottom for vegetative stabilization of dikes and for ultimate replacement on
*U.S. Deptment of Agriculturte I-VNi System should be used.            the lake bottom for rehabilitation should be considered.


A new reservoir forms a new habitat for plants and animals and results in a loss of existing habitat.
4.11.7


Waterfowl may be attracted in substantial numbers during their normal migration, and their migration habits may be altered, e.g., by overwintering in a northern climate on a warm-water lake. Waterfowl attracted to a lake may cause economic loss to agriculture by their feeding activities, degradation of water quality, and other adverse effects. In addition, the birds themselves may suffer adversely from such effects as disruption of migrational patterns.
If -              veIa"WitnA~~
      na s,
    11..      capability      class.* and pCerIteagc of "lie                    Conteni        A tinjil, zuorl4d ftb
                                                                                                "aA'                                    )              nyly          o
    4Oc~erap by each.xa~x-iatv.-n V. cn unomceo'. msxiz-                        paerntsed in tisd *idQ vaeed                                        tfr    dpoi  ").Je tions, of rnrino extent 1 e pr.Xinl. I, n act;.IANC 1, account for 10 to 15'5.* of the iotwl arco in a ritawe!.                     expeted              to eedl.        tow        or        'ýsc        f't¢,1bh nIeous category, except tot areas of ct~*ique Vtut.                          Cs        lettnma ou"d 4.cte it                    b    d          t  ~aL    -      .v;IaZ
    Detailed consideration of sujs. and tfir prudthjitwn                        rn Tanul.: etunr,'s ,i                          nI dr z tek.ýat.d
                                                                                                                          ,ii "A-et                                  III:-.
    potential is necessary for sites located in areaex tha4 are                  dtoAers. cron.,tior*ttarlo            tor* atefc nd                n rtevn o especialy productive of airicultutal or forestry piod.,-                      ls      tckiconiirons at the         ute,          1eo' ai                        s:.n tic Is.


These and other factors need to be discussed.
inclua.debush ader  ~ to btvn                    ci      dt.t      ckLingi1.iI
          4. Wiolugl,.al Iualltul      P)toyrail*.\ >.hId b13c lurg                        mittilly        Flotted onrt      a bau nup 4:er A                ceotl i-on    i roe            tVie devised to be succemnng pru,.edu,,% to d                    u!,kr u.      -
    able effects. If advcr.c biulogical ef(,",ts are detected,                  shoulid sAve            shaoius sL*f,*d a t-i*4rW th* aznms                X          iý,t delailed quapijtrii  ivc biolop-ial and c ,Kl.gic.. anAlysc.s                wofjiv theptetua u f q! rici tin                      the r raeIl wahe-oi Ow liay    heV wiqoimed to d.luwlit¢              i  Iiid  :
                                                              lo    ci,,          the mrir;t.l ra-,    m e-twe          ot f          atryu        vf      : kick.TKu1-
    1r0'1edies. Ii' advere effects arc not detcctcl. quAilti- tallve studies are irot needed.                                              the Weewption        types that                thethe dorift he ics,                        odu The species inventory ot ithe site should ic:lure                                                    and                      (4 Wof.n    Int~t 1re '10jt important habitats and normal Seasonal ,4fuItions, Lo.                      field befuCw          j au.er -,oiAWF IC1oe;e op atiolt- 4 noa,ý
    cally prominent ol imputlasit va*cttlar Lmants mnamals.                        Css41tittertlhed t'o &errctou -Atp idak1.e 4dww rffiettý
    birds. rcptiles, amphibians, inwcts, and other plants And                    of djifs.    The bav.on i u pectseri i          siould be    a      teed out bh animals should be included. The inventory should be                          spn erhAIS rbaoes otke ak siten                      nzamth.at, wl rhemai- reasonably complete but may be merninamed when addi-                            nistusie pdv          n Averse  t        if-t,is inn the    r bohmutars tilonal field effort no longer yields significant nomhcrs of                Scasdvetna ;1i0t          tAd            be pritsndvl Pdtbin ceOr or previously unobserved species.                                              irrf:aoed false cski of permanent veprtatm Plots air often useful aids. ouante*utjrig cothemirionalysis of
          'The inventory of insects necd not account for aU                      plants, animals, and      fros      are *eeded        if bottofar                dcpoaite
  . species sifWe it may be possible to find .jeviouoly untabulated spucict for yeitts after the beginning of the study, lnscct surveys should provide Informaton on dvsitonmg Itise- ate    expvcted nto nee*O,  flt exceed    101cOfk hwevey orq tobwj A1e,K'Ig PojpuLitiorr monitoring of xieertrd sqpýOei cculd attso 4C
                                                                                                                                            ixauris 111teshdAl~. *utl
                                                                                11eedled in such cases.


Evaporative cooling towers affect ecosystems by deposition of drift containing dissolved minerals on the landscape or by production of fog. Drift may be beneficial or adverse depending on the chemical com pounds and elements being deposited and the amounts of deposition.
important species such as disease vectors, pests, and pollinating insects. Interpretation of in.icct data should The wsessmnen            vf cxv1inj; lakeý- fhould tri-Llvd                      a include whether or not populations could be altered.


The baseline program is designed to evaluate the potential effects of drift and to establish reference measurements for comparison with later operational monitoring observations by determining the amounts and kinds of airborne chemicals being deposited on the site prior to cooling tower operation.
with adverse consequences to animals, vegetation. or                          detabili      onsoderitesn of the effects of rd divercsnt on humans. by construction or operation of the station.                          th aeal.  reh          and StAte agtri  itoal.          jmWd&eion. f'redi htural F170(111COOT, o~rreiJeAtiOrtAl uses. 11e J36sae1Irnt -,h1,uld include both Adverse andi bemcficial :opecis ofcoln Protection of terrestrial systems is usually          adeqclate lake cumnstructiurm.%'here a cor.4ing lake it, p-oposed, ttee when it can be shown that (I) habitat                      losses or baseline stodies should include a prelminrthry asine-vt~t alterations are Insignificant to populations of          important of the potential fut reclaxnaimsfn teC the take hottoin lar species in the regional or local context, (2)                chemical agricultural, ecological. or forestry use after decomitusw emissions from the station are sufficiently                  small to
*  permit reasonable assurance that no adverse effe t will                      sioning, It ii not necessary, however, to prepbdge futurr use of the take site It is vifficient to es~tablisth whether occur, and (3) no mechanism exists for causing u.,n- the option exmists to reclaim the site for other prod~uctive tended destruction of organisms, or its occurrence Is                        u~s-s Or whether the Creation of the lake constituites An infrequent enough to give reasonable assurance that                          irretrievale change in land use.


Acceptable data could be obtained from existing sources of information or from monthly sampling of collectors that collect both dry and wet fallout. If a monitoring program is used, it is normally continued for at least 1 year. Table 4 sug gests chemicals that are usually considered in plan ning the program.
whole populations will not be adversely affected.


Drift from saltwater or brackish-water cooling towers contains NaCI and other salts. The baseline chemical measurements establish the Na and C I con tent of soils and plants in the expected drift field of cooling towers that use seawater or brackish water.  Baseline soil measurements normally include the con ductivity of saturated extracts and pH of samples ob tained from the expected drift field. If the drift from either freshwater or saltwater towers is likely to contain toxic substances, their con centrations are measured unless it is clear that the amounts and concentrations are sufficiently low to 4.11-5 TABLE 4 ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS
Environmental protection should be achieved by                              The asscssment should alm) include a reprtit of the control of common sources of environmental effects.                        number of hectares of the lake site that will remain These include soil erosion, siltation, ut: of herbicides,                  undisutubed during construction, the numbeT of hectare~s dust and noise during construction, and others.                             and vegetation that rMil be disturbed, the source of Biological consequences can usually be prevented or                           "borrow" material for dike constructiorm. and the man- reduced to acceptable levels through proper manage-                        agement of topsoil removed during construction. Use of ment.                                                                       topsoil stripped front the lake bottom for vegetative stabilization of dikes and for ultimate replacement ont
OF POSSIBLE CONCERN IN CHEMICAL MONITORING
    *U.S. Department of Agriculture l-NtU System should be used.                 the lake bottom for rehabilitation should be considered.
PROGRAMS FOR TERRESTRIAL
SYSTEMS Group Macronutrient Micronutrient Chemicals commonly found in environ ment, some required by animals Toxic Biocides added to. cooling waters Chemical Substances
+ -.3 .2 NH 4 , NO ,PO 4 SO 4 , Ca, Mg, K Cu,Zn,B,Mo,V,Mn,Fe-I -2 Na.C,F,HCO ,CO 3 ,Co,I Pb,Hg,Cd,Cr,As,Ni All Relative Biological Hazard Minor or no risk except in extremely large quantities.


No hazards within the range of concentrations found in nature. Toxicity possible if concentrations are moderate.
4.11-7


Minor risk at ordinary concen tration. Risk from halogens dependent on chemical form. Carbonates usually innocuous.
When a pruposed lake is to be built on substrates                b. Dust Contrl -- OD t should be controlled by
.having a potential for affecting water quality, chemical        watering, gpaveling. kn paving. Areas subjec to wind analyses of the substrates should be performed. The              erosion should be controlled by mulching or seedin,.
elements to be measured depend on the nature of the                  c. ,oiaW Conrrtd Noise should be monoimred at zite substrate. If the substrate is formerly fertili.ed farndand.     bounda~ies.


Sodium salts have high-risk osmotic effects on plants at high concentration.
analysis for elements common to chemical fertiliers is needed. If the substrate is land of some special history,.          d. Smoke Contrul - Open slash busaing of plant such as strip-mine land, appropriate chemical assessmnent        nateriai shouidJ be conducted in accidanct *eith local of the water-soluble and exchange- ,le components ,of            and State regulations.


Presumed high biological risk at all concentrations above those normally found in nature. Presumed high biological risk if present in cooling-tower drift.(I (i preclude both short-term and cumulative adverse ef fects. Adverse biological effects can usually be ruled out with reasonable certainty for most elements and compounds found in nature when the expected addi tions combined with preexisting levels would not raise the concentration of the toxic substance outside the range of variation normally found in the biota or soils of the region. Chemical analyses of soils, plants, and animals in the drift field of freshwater cooling towers are not usually needed when all of the following apply: (1) the dominant salts are harmless mixtures of biological nutrients as shown in Table 4, (2) the ex pected peak deposition beyond the site boundary is less than 20 kg/ha-yr (no more than 50% in any 30 day period during the growing season) of mixed salts, 6 and (3) the drift does not contain toxic ele ments or compounds in amounts that could be hazar dous to plants or animals either by direct or indirect exposure over the expected lifetime of the facility.
thle substrate should be made to obtain an estimate of              *C. ChOwdcal and Solid Wase Ccnfrol ..- Cerryta..
chemical input to the lake. Special attention is given            cleiicahs, fuels. sanmry 'asie'. lublic.an2s. bilwrcit ý
those elements that-could reach toxic concentrations in         flushing solutions, om other potentially hatzzid,.:.mi water, accumulate to toxic levels in food .-:"bs. or affect      rruterials should bc vavaged or disharged sifet) in the pil of the Like. The chemical analyses should be             accordance with existing regulatos. Spills          ,sh..Wdtb performed on appropriate chemical extracts of the soil            cle;ned up before dhey become a hazard.


Usually, reference specimens of soils, plants, and animals for possible future analysis are retained in cases where it is determined that drift presents a chemical hazard to the environment.
material. The characterization of soil material shouid also include deteumination of exchanri. capacity, organic            f. Soil Erosion and Sediment Conpul          -E!-
matter, ph, and textural class.                                  should be cont odled by piped drainagt. diversion dikes.


The specimens may consist of subsamples of materials that were col lected prior to tower operation and analyzed for baseline data. Such stored samples should be ade quately protected for analytical purposes.
flumes, sediment control structures,. ground        r*mcn. o.


Construction Monitoring If unavoidable construction practices cause a threat to some natural population or ecosystem that could extend beyond the bounds of the area actually dedicated to construction or associated activities, conscientious construction practice control coupled with systematic inspection is usually sufficient but sometimes biological monitoring of important species is necessary.
When a reservoir is proposed, the baseline studies          other appropriate neanf..
should *: !ude reasonable predictions of the numober of              g. Dewneerirg. D)watern~g. *iouid b.cotonfined to birds (especially waterfowl) expected to use the lake on        the area needed for construction; test wells or pie- an annual basis, their expected residence time. the              existing wells should be monitored ":wch.ne.s in t&,)
expected Impact on farnilands, and all other impacts            water table.


In such cases, it is reasonable that studies be designed to document the impact and develop possible corrective actions.
either on the birds themselves or on the surrounding area due to their prescnce. The estimates should be the best              If. after analysis o( the inventory oi svperis and obtainable bawed on known flyways, estimates of farm acreages nearby, literature, or 1,xal evidence of bird          consideration of potential effects of the nuclear ;pwer station, a conclusion is wartanmed Otuf if.erte vvi K- tit, utilization of other rescrvuirs under similar conditions.        advesew impact on biota, there may be no need to carry If significant numbers of waterfowl are expected to        out biological nionitoring ptopanms at the ctstroctih and operational stages and, correspondi,.gy, these mny congregate at the lake for app e'lable periods of time, a monitoring progiam should be started when the lake ha-s          be no wtee.d to tnitiate such piograms during the bascnire been filled The program should determine the number              stage.


Decommissioning Consideration should be given to the potential for reclamation of the plant site, impoundment basins, and transmission corridors upon decommissioning of the station (see Regulatory Guide 4.2).  Operational Monitoring Monitoring after commencement of station opera tion is intended to determine whether or not there are adverse biological effects attributable to operation.
of waterfowl, the extent of crop damage in hectares. the Special studk;s could he necessary if adverse effects value of crop lost on art annual basis due to bird fecifing, on hiota are detected and there is no obvious explana- and the numbers of dead or obviously diseased birds.


This monitoring program is outlined in detail in the technical specifications that are issued in connection with the station operating license. The scope of these 'Interim value based on staff experience to date.studies is determined by the degree of direct linkage between the proposed station and the terrestrial ecosystem.
tion or remedy for the effect. In the usual ca.se, however, if habitat loss or alteration, dicrnjcal emissions, or direct
    5. Whcn adverse effects of construction ot operation destruction of organisms do not constitute a threat to a can be reasonably inferred from information obtained population of an important species. the effect need not during the baseline phase, quantitative studies that can be studied further even though it is important in an be compared with later studies during construction or            ecological sense.


It is not necessary to hypothesize vague effects or to undertake a program to measure a phenomenon that has no reasonable relationship to station operation.
operational phases should be initiated. Such studies could Include measurements of population densities of endangered species or chemical measurements of toils                             


However, when an adverse relationship between station operation and a ter restrial community is reasonably thought to exist, a thorough evaluation is necessary.
==D. IMPLEMENTATION==
 
and blota within the potential drift field of a cooling tower, for example.                                                   The purpose of this section is to provide information to applicants regarding the NRC staff's plans for using The preferred method of biological protection on            this regulatory guide.
This evaluation should begin I to 2 years prior to station operation.
 
Consultation with the NRC staff is recommended to determine the appropriate scope and term of any fol lowup studies.
 
There may be cases in which no important impact on the terrestrial ecological community is an ticipated.
 
When such cases are adequately supported, there may be no necessity for terrestrial monitoring during operation.
 
There also may be cases in which no significant impacts are detected by the required monitoring programs.
 
In such cases, after review and approval by the staff, these programs may be eliminated.
 
It should be noted that some minimal effort programs may be designed for detection of long-term impacts or unanticipated changes and thus should not be- eliminated.
 
C. REGULATORY
POSITION 1. It is important to coordinate all the programs discussed in Regulatory Guides 4.1, "Programs for Monitoring Radioactivity in the Environs of Nuclear Power Plants," and 4.2, "Preparation of En vironmental Reports for Nuclear Power Stations." Since precise predictions and assessments of impacts on terrestrial ecological systems are not always possi ble, reasonable professional interpretations should be made when quantitative prediction is impossible.
 
2. Adequate assessment of current land-use status should show (by a table, for example) major land-use categories and areas devoted to each category along with aerial photographs showing the same categories.
 
When data are not available from existing records, an acceptable means of acquiring them would be through the use of aerial photographs in conjunction with ground reconnaissance.
 
The scale of photographs should be appropriate to the degree of detail required.
 
Federal, State, regional, and local planning authorities should be consulted to deter mine the existence of present or planned areas dedicated to the public interest or in which siting would be in conflict with preexisting zoning plans.  Such contacts should be documented.
 
3. Discussion of soils should include association names, capability classes, 7 and percentage of site coverage by each association.
 
When numerous as sociations of minor extent are present, it is acceptable
'U.S. Department of Agriculture I-VIII System should be used.4.11-7 to account for 10 to 15% of the total area in a miscel laneous category, except for areas of unique value.  Detailed consideration of soils and their production potential is necessary for sites located in areas that are especially productive of agricultural or forestry products.
 
4. Biological monitoring programs should be in itially devised to be screening procedures to detect undesirable effects. If adverse biological effects are detected, detailed quantitative biological and ecological analyses may be required to determine causes and to devise remedies.
 
If adverse effects are not detected, quantitative studies are not needed.  The species inventory of the site should include im portant habitats and normal seasonal variations.
 
Locally prominent or important vascular plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and other plants and animals should be included.
 
The in ventory should be reasonably complete but may be terminated when additional field effort no longer yields significant numbers of previously unobserved species.
 
Insect surveys should provide information on im portant species such as disease vectors, pests, and pollinating insects. Interpretation of insect data should include consideration of the possibility of adverse consequences to animals, vegetation, or humans that might be caused by construction or operation of the station. Adverse consequences can usually be determined by consultation with State agricultural authorities.
 
Normally, detailed field sur veys of insect populations are not needed.  Protection of terrestrial systems is usually adequate when it can be shown that (I) habitat losses or altera tions of important species' are small with respect to the amount available within the regional or local con text, (2) chemical emissions from the station are suf ficiently small to permit reasonable assurance that no adverse effect will occur, and (3) no mechanism ex ists for causing unintended destruction of organisms, or its occurrence is infrequent enough to give reasonable assurance that whole populations will not be adversely affected.
 
Environmental protection should be achieved by control of common sources of environmental effects.
 
These include soil erosion, siltation, use of herbicides, dust and noise during construction, and others.  Biological consequences can usually be prevented or reduced to acceptable levels through proper manage ment.  If cooling towers are being considered, the mineral content of the cooling water supply should be deter"The term important species, as used in this guide, is defined in Regulatory Guide 4.2.mined in the baseline studies. An estimate should be made of the amounts and dispersion of salts expected to be deposited from the towers. The estimate should be based on the cooling water quality, manufacturer's specifications for drift release from the towers, con centration factors, and prevailing meteorological conditions at the site. Meteorological dispersion models are useful to obtain estimates of drift deposi tion.  Estimated drift deposition from cooling towers may be plotted on a base map or graph centered on the towers and showing isopleths of salt deposition.
 
The maps should have a radius sufficient to show the points at which the amounts of drift from the tower fall within the normal range of annual variation of background deposition from other sources. They should also show the vegetation types that occur in the drift field.  Reconnaissance and inspection of biota in the drift field before and after cooling tower operation is a means recommended for detection of possible adverse effects of drift. The baseline inspection should be carried out by specialists in biology work ing systematically from checklists of possible adverse effects in the community.
 
Seasonal aerial and ground-level photographs in color or infrared false color of permanent vegetation plots are often useful aids. Quantitative chemical analysis of plants, animals, and soils are needed if chemical deposits are expected to exceed toxic or injurious thresholds.
 
Population monitoring of selected species could also be needed in such cases.  The assessment of cooling lakes and transmission and access corridors should include detailed con sideration of the effects of land diversion on local, regional, and State agricultural production, forest production, or recreational uses. The assessment should include both adverse and beneficial aspects.
 
Where a cooling lake is proposed, the baseline studies should include a preliminary assessment of the poten tial for reclamation of the lake bottom for agricultural, ecological, or forestry use after decom missioning.
 
It is not necessary, however, to prejudge future use of the lake site. It is sufficient to establish whether the option exists to reclaim the site for other productive uses or whether the creation of the lake constitutes an irretrievable change in land use.  The assessment should also include a report of the number of hectares of the lake site that will remain undisturbed during construction, the number of hec tares and vegetation that will be disturbed, the source of "borrow" material for dike construction, and the management of topsoil removed during construction.
 
Use of topsoil stripped from the lake bottom for vegetative stabilization of dikes and for ultimate replacement on the lake bottom for rehabilitation should be considered.
 
4.11-8 When soil disruption during construction at the site or in transmission corridors is expected to expose substrates or a proposed lake is to be built on sub strates having a potential for affecting water quality, chemical analyses of the substrates should be per formed. The elements to be measured depend on the nature of the substrate.
 
If the substrate is formerly fertilized farmland, analysis for elements common to chemical fertilizers is needed. If the substrate is land of some special history, such as strip-mine land, ap propriate chemical assessment of the water-soluble and exchangeable components of the substrate should be made to obtain an estimate of chemical in put to water bodies. Special attention is given those elements that could reach toxic concentrations in water, accumulate to toxic levels in food webs, or af fect the pH of water bodies. The chemical analyses should be performed on appropriate chemical ex tracts of the soil material.
 
The characterization of soil material should also include determination of ex change capacity, organic matter, pH, and textural class.  When a reservoir is proposed, the baseline studies should include reasonable predictions of the number of birds (especially waterfowl)
expected to use the lake on an annual basis, their expected residence time, the expected impact on farmlands, and all other impacts either on the birds themselves or on the sur rounding area due to their presence.
 
The estimates should be the best obtainable based on known flyways, estimates of farm acreages nearby, literature, or local evidence of bird utilization of other reser voirs under similar conditions.
 
5. Information needed for transmission and access corridor assessment is generally similnr to that for sites; however, certain considerations apply specifically to corridors.
 
Detailed land-use informa tion along corridors is needed. The description should include the distance transversed and locations of principal land-use types such as forests, permanent pastures, cultivated crops, parks, preserves, water bodies, recreation areas, and housing areas. Special features such as historic sites; monuments;
archaeological sites; caves; mineralogical, paleon tological, or geological areas of special interest;
stream crossings;
and road crossings should be iden tified and their locations specified.
 
Information may be presented in the form of land-use maps that are keyed to descriptive text. It is often useful to sub divide long corridors into convenient segments con taining similar land-use types for descriptive pur poses.  It is usually adequate to describe biotic com munities in terms of principal vegetative associations such as oak-hickory forest. The animals most likely to be found along corridors may be determined from literature studies, local experts, or field reconnais sance. Emphasis should be placed on "important" species as defined in Regulatory Guide 4.2.  Comprehensive field inventories of biota along tran smission corridors are not usually needed.  The potential occurrence of threatened or en dangered plants and animals or their critical habitat adjacent to or within the proposed corridors should be .investigated.
 
Local, State, and Federal authorities (e.g., the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and State wildlife agencies)
should be consulted to determine protected species that reasonably
'could be expected to occur and the locations of possible occurrences along corridors.
 
If potential areas are identified, field inspection of these areas may be necessary to verify, the presence or absence of the protected organisms.
 
If proposed transmission corridors could add to the further endangerment of a protected species, realign ment in the critical areas might be required.
 
6. When adverse effects of construction or opera tion can be reasonably inferred from information ob tained during the baseline phase, quantitative studies that can be compared with later studies during con struction or operational phases should be initiated.


Such studies include measurements of population densities of endangered species, chemical measure ments of soils and biota within the potential drift field of a cooling tower, or annual aerial photography, for example.
many constructlon sites is direct control of potentially injurious work practice. Systematic inspection during                This guide reflects current NRC staff practice. There- construction at the site along transmission corridors and          fore, except in those cases in which the applicant in adjacent areas should be used to detect injurious or           proposes an acceptable alternative methud for com, unauthorized activities. Examples of items that may be           plying with specified portions of the Commission's checked are:                                                     regulations, the method described herein is being and will continue to be used in the evaluation of submittals for operating license or construction permit applications a. TPafflc Control - Vehicles should be confined to         until this guide is revised as a result of suggestions from authorized roadways and stream crossings.                         the public or additional staff review.
 
The preferred method of biological protection on many construction sites is direct control of potential ly injurious work practice.
 
Systematic inspection dur ing construction at the site, along corridors, and in adjacent areas should be used to detect injurious or unauthorized activities.
 
Examples of items that may be checked are: a. Traffic Control -Vehicles should be confined to authorized roadways and stream crossings.
 
b. Dust Control -Dust should be controlled by such means as watering, graveling, or paving. Areas subject to wind erosion should be controlled by mul ching, seeding, or the equivalent.
 
c. Noise Control -Noise should be monitored at site boundaries.
 
d. Smoke Control -Open slash burning of plant material should be conducted in accordance with local and State regulations.
 
e. Chemical and Solid Waste Control -Cement, chemicals, fuels, sanitary wastes, lubricants, bitumens, flushing solutions, or other potentially hazardous materials should be salvaged or dis charged safely in accordance with existing regula tions. Spills should be cleaned up before they become a hazard.4.11-9 f. Soil Erosion and Sediment Control -Erosion should be controlled by piped drainage, diversion dikes, flumes, sediment control structures, ground covers, or other appropriate means.
 
====g. Dewatering ====
-Dewatering should be confined to the area needed for construction;
test wells or preexisting wells should be monitored for changes in the water table.  If, after analysis of the inventory of species and consideration of potential effects of the nuclear power station, a conclusion is warranted that there will be no adverse impact on biota, there may be no need to carry out biological monitoring programs at the construction and operational stages. Special studies could be necessary if adverse effects on biota are detected and there is no obvious ex plapation or remedy for the effect. In the usual case, however, if habitat loss or alteration, chemical emis sions, or direct destruction of organisms do not con stitute a threat to a population of an important species, the effect need not be studied further.
 
==D. IMPLEMENTATION==
The purpose of this section is to provide informa tion to applicants regarding the NRC staff's plans for using this regulatory guide.  This guide reflects current NRC staff practice.


Therefore, except in those cases in which the appli cant proposes an acceptable alternative method for complying with specified portions of the Commis sion's regulations, the method described herein is be ing and will continue to be used in the evaluation of submittals for operating license or construction per mit applications until this guide is revised as a result of suggestions from the public or additional staff review.4.11-10
4.11-8}}
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY
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Latest revision as of 01:23, 20 March 2020

Terrestrial Environmental Studies for Nuclear Power Stations
ML13350A243
Person / Time
Issue date: 07/31/1976
From:
NRC/OSD
To:
References
RG-4.011
Download: ML13350A243 (9)
v • d • e


U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION July 1976 REGULATORY GUIDE

OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT

REGULATORY GUIDE 4.11 TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

FOR NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS

A. INTRODUCTION

ixtientiaJl ctivit1JnarTieti ,ct.,!ts5 mcudine iuddeti -11 extet.

nAlized custs. of nucicau power statikin construction and The Nuclear Regulatory Conmiits,,n's policy and operation. By identifying importanl envirornn,,znl costs procedures for picparing and proccssing erivirotimental priot to site preparation and statnun construction. the impact statements and related documents pursuant ito costs can be rmduced to acceptable levels by wleclting as- Section 102(2) (C) of the National invironmental Policy appropriate site. revising the station de.i"'or modifying Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-190, 83 Stat. 852) are set operating piocedures.

forth in 10 C(FR Part SI, "Licensing and Regulatory C.,

Policy arid Procedures foi Environmental Prtc'tion.'" In this guide. environmental str4ies aute.4vided into Regulatory Guide 4.2. "Preparation of Environmental four phases: rote Selection. box* 'Mbdies. cnsitu.tion Reports for Nuclear Power Stations," identifies the monitoring, arid oTibrati*tl . 1 able

-rihI shows informnation needed by the NRC staff in its aswscsnment the oruganization foz ,=restual tdies identifying majoi of the potential eavironmental etlects of a lijpoted task.5and their apprt'*).tetim&:hedults.

nuclear facility. This regulatory guide provides technical Adversw irpal*.4n t Jtlo.gafisrh or ecological Jke inlfornima ion Imothe design and.c.c ecution of eterest rial systems h.c histAoI4y itulted fr omr loss or niodifica.

environmental studies for nuclear power stations. The tititLol a4W-lea*

out rtinvtals or toxic chemiicals information resulting from these studies, ai they relate illtot eti nrtimt, and dnect desitruction of biota. A

to ecological aspects of site selection, as.sessment of bholcd*Cl,,eil'I nay be expressed at the level of lih terrestrial effects of station construction and operation, :' `1i*, *gaPrtiXrns itrthrouh the collective jrcnponrt.

and formulation of related monitorting activitcs. mtay be 4.sins ,t the system level.. k.xar1-,: of effect- o',t appropriate for inclusion in the applicant's envirot*,S*,, ii)4gvithil organisms include death. redu, :, n of heallh tal report. *1or'ltalty, accurmulation ofroxi" subs...nces. and

`ta.llteration of reproductive success. Lxa.mples of ecolo.

Although there is a need for a thorou,0,4i1uait*  : gical system efc1TIs include changes in birth mi,death environmental impacts, it is important thaItresouw.09s not rate. changes of toxic ekinent concentrations through- be needlessly dissipated on programs of-.t*iteJ&'%aflu¢. out entire food webs, and changes in population mle ot The need for accuraite evaluation and tun* view of community structure, the environmental report makes it eswrntial to focus Mos lant and animal sopuletions havc sutficient quickly on Iearingful 'I9 a nd to avoid exhaustive Modt pla ct yn oma k Upu fort o sshe1s t't,:ie w analyses not directiy fter  ;.1station impacts. This reproductive capacity tu make up for loses of a few guide racommindrirtk, C Itu ssessments, resource mdtvidual. without chanes in 3verage population W.,es management, s.f.c .* * -andcontrol of effects asWhen th loss of individual means for ,ro~ting terrestrial ecology. The ap- becomes sufficiently great, however, the populattori irs a proach r j061nn62 d f.1 terrestrial surveys begins with whorce ttay eas to punction em a elf.suytahning.

broadly anll and biotic inventories and then renewable resource. The poplation may then be focuses on1ig*nited number of significant environmental overstressed. and species extinction or undesitable shifts issues. 1Rý in community structure may become possible.

B. DISCUSSION

Excessive population stresses have resulted from It is important (hat environmental assessments pro- natural phenomena, hunting, trapping. draining of wet- vide the information needed to estimate and limit lands, harvesting forests, plowing prairies, widespread USNAC RE.GULATORY GUIDES Corn"rt.9 Sh.ould 104 so-t tothi swc..tsv of t" rnte~, Ua I cls

1%g,.tato,v Guide* Ole iltus4 to d~renit.h and _4119 4*AO0 to~e~' 0.4t.,.~

Outwitg:o Sam"^t.4Octwg DCic e mefthods acce~lbillt 990tIle i9C stetI Of 'rnPtlt.ttt~tg 11009to Parts Of %as Comnrn16,00 S togujtbt.ofts. to dol~tes~bgtetVha 'J&" air Ito~Ot.t ft *Vt The quid"e.l,.e,1'ttsfla nthf fftobroa8d ff9.softe eo~

sting tiepc-fic ptoblernt at posttuteled &cc~de'tt a' to Po'tde guidane. to .o~tt.

coots Regulatory Gwtlfs 11te not subst.1tooto, elalto'te. oed Itemt9,9'c*

mot I Power 01tescs.'e Pioduct witth thte t %a'tt toqu,Irtd Melhads and Solutionse different #-rn too".se Sol. OtI 40sc W4 7#11 Arttorf 7 tlia guides will be accoptebie itlt ihyotovide a bastm#to ttt. 9.~donqlt9'44001% to 3 ul n Iloeii Ftectttt~es S etit crostions Meot!?

Ike ilstuatco or cotnounvrc of a Ostrn't 0, hetrn. kV th~eCotrnntlwt.. 4 an SIT..9 I A.mtnw Commtentts and 1W994geetlot 110, o .... 't -, titeog 9-69.i% 61* mtCOu.aged1 a matoene 6`14 Pont Pltodtlan' 90Conoete Mt all totes. .1,d guide -,It be ,oI.as *00'oo.,etu. In4 aeccOM'tOodet torn"

tm.e.ts and to t*tt~ct neow-Itai-,atm' o a, .. ec O,w4ea Commen~eton~ capt," at pubttl"04 gwude mnaybe obtotp bl, tantlan, 004"h11 tttdeetag fth flits quid*. .9 received wittvin About two moths'tI.After its 1.fOsu~* w~ttbe Par tbW~ovans dl"~ Tofthe US9t~l ftoctla egltory Cornvstewo. Waettotp t 0 DC

ftc.1a'tV useful to oisetuht..q the need to- a. soetiy eiruon 2Mý Aite..ytott D..eo'w. etfhte at Simteo.4de eonp

9 TABLE 1 TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION

AND OPERATION OF NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS

Phase Major Task Time When Task Pcrformed*

Regional land-use analysis Prior to apphcation for CP when Site selection candidate areas are being selected Local land-use analysis Prior to application for CP when preferred site is being sIcicted Baseline studies at the Biological iivcnborics Prior to application for CP when proposed site ER is being prepared;m"ay continuc into period after CtP issuance (bui before OL issuarnce)

Construction monitoring Monitoring of construction DMring period bet-'eco CP issuance at the :approved site practice and OL issuance Operational monitoring Problem-oliented monitoring After OL is issued at the approved site (short-term and continuing programs)

  • CP = construction permit ER = environmental report OL = operating license dispersion of toxic substances, and other activities This engineering surveys to select candidate sites for tht does nut imply that these activities are always incom- nuclear station. Local land-use anralysi3 is directed u patible with the well-being of natural systems. Experi- candidate sites and is used in conjunction with engi-W

ence has shown that good management often permits the nec .ing consideratims to sclect a preferred site. Site coexistence of desired ecological systems with various selection surveys of terrestrial ecology are coordinated enterprises. with prelinidnary engineering. studies. The information needed could be ob!ained from such sources as aerial Site Selection photographs. topographic maps, reconnaissance, litera- ture, and regional or local zoning and planning data. Site The results of site selection surveys are useful in ,election surveys aaa performed with the objective of identifying potential Impacts of station siting, construe- providing data for resource nunagement analysis, rather tion, and operation on terrestrial ecological systems and than for detailed functional analysts of ecosystems.

permit evaluation of alternatives that could reduce ad- verse effects. In this guide, the suggested site selection Terrestrial criteria at the regional level what are needed procedures* are limited to terrestrial ecoloey.

in the selection of candidate sites include the extent of valuable farmland in the region and the altematives avail- Site selection surveys may be descriptive in nature. In able for siting on land of lower utility, the extent of describing biota, emphasis is generally placed on ecolo- valuable wildlife habitat in the region and alternatives to gically significant groupings of organisms and manage- Its use, and the extent of valuable forests in the region ment of resources rather than on ecological detail. it is and alternatives to their use. Also needed is information important, however, that the investigations rapidly on the current status of land use and zoning plans within focus on matters of special sensitivity, rather than the region. This includes an accounting of all land within retaining a broad and diffitse approach. the region in major categories such as. agricultural land, forest land, urban areas. highway-s, and airporls.

Site selection surveys can be conduct'.s in two phases, regional land-use and local land-u:.-," analysis. The selection process examines reasonable oppor- Regional land-use analysis is used in conjunction with tunities for utilizing sites that have minimal impact on the diversity of regional land use, present and future.

  • See also Regulatory Guide 4.7, "General Site Suitability Cri- Preservation of a range of options for land use is teria for Nuclear Power. Stations." important for the consideration of biologically rare or.s

4.11-2

unique areas. A unique wildljfe babita.1 may be und':six- .in su:e re'ioits. Howvver. cooling towers could be able for a site since to use it could furodose oppof- objectionlabe in sceruc aicas where a coohng lake could tunities for propagation of wildlife. scientifk" study, be an aseiet. Visible plunes from coolirn tovtts could be natural history study, recreatu'tr, and public enjuyrnent ntoze Abjvctivmb!e e ironrstentirly at sov sitcs th*n of wildlife. it others becausc Of ground Itogs or sraig, l'ible 2 is an example matrix that could be to.d it bAa.ncing the Federal, State, regional, and local planning authoritis &I-f factorV. i may be consulted to dct.ermine the existence and location of areas withiri the region that have. icen FKY th.e lWca studies. .nkcrasi.ng delail 1s ncedcd in tOle dedicated to the public interest or areas in which 5iting tatbi:iion of plant and anmal speci-e uegun during the would be in conflict with preexisting zoning plars. rei.nun.d sunrey'. T'h. specis list mayxbe enla-,ed omorn Examples of such areas include dedicated patrks and kanvidge or pdincipd habnaials %f the sites, re,'nt~nai.--

forests, especially produetive fartland, places whe're tsance. ttw literature.. anid 1 t .At thi s wtg' it specialty c-rops are produced. rate but as yet undedicated is tr-pi-qtwit to esutabbsh whterhe there te m>b4wiovs forests and wildlife habitats, scenic arcai, and wetland,. differences aiuntg sites with ,rsp-,et to endAngercd

3pcjc. es, gamn. waitmals. or ,other ialportant spc'ies of More specilfic land-use classes are needed in t~Rwfucal habi*tr.m The ,tvruwett ftr c4ch size should Jnclude surveys than in the regional surveys, but they should c'-u iderariorn o~f the a

  • ot prelefled habitat of be based on information obtained by reconnsance im*utrutant w4eicies (iie Secki'n 22 of. Regt" rio"y Guide rather than detailed binlogical invcntory. Land-use cate- 4.2) that would be, adver*eiy affected.

gories may include farms. fields. secondary succeisiort (indicating dominant species), foiests, and residentiaJ. tnt'ointutivr. ic uircd fwn r-k-vsiorcirtlo~i t- industrial, and commercial areas. If aerial photognphs mmAnilm in nature tortial. for. candidate site setkctiuf.

are used for local land.u5c analysis, it is important that DetaiLead cormidoi routes wt!.' not norrnall. be Known it their scale is sufficient to present views of the candidate this stage. Nevertheless. tvnisi&-citiom needs to be gi'en sites and their inunediate environs. to prtIsbblb c0,or IteI'fh, nid YIaTuurl barriers, imllpac on lai d use. o.*, utits for conubi*s*ig. ne'w transmission Major soil data for each sioe being conrsidei*ed may be lir.es with pree.xisting tourees, and tbeltiC 0ffects in the obtained from existing literature or thirough recofltais- wetectic.r of candidate sites..

santce it' not otherwise available. Soil Counrvtion Service offices are usually able to .upply sufficient Tabie 3 is wa example matrix that could be used in Information. Information may be %upplied as a soil wei*hnng and balancing altematihe sites. Site %lecriun ts association map that is keyed to a t ab!t of descriptive dependent on a wide range of ficlors other th~an those information. rclating to tvrrestrial e'ology. In .ome c seCS the weirring and balancing of Al factors may rt.mult in a selctiwn thtr The selection of a cooling method for the propsed is les3 than optimum by renres'tial ecologic.l cJi1em1a. I.n plant is an important consideration in itle selection. these cases the need for suhsequent no*amilTcning ptrtans Cooling reservoirs may require loss of land, which may may be greater in the case of mote nearly optimum be unacceptable compared to the use of coolinp towers choices. tomever, norve of the candidate sites shiould be OLE 2 FACTORS CONSIDERED IN THE SELECTION OF

SITES AND COOLING METHODS

Once.Througts COOlinS Cowling Spray Environmental Variable Cooling LAke Towei Canals Farn-land Woodland Wasteland Coastland Wetland Special Wildlife Habitats Preserves and Parks Aesthetic Impacts

4.11-3 W

TABLE 3 SELECTION OF SITES: TERRESTRIAL FACTORS*

Factor Site A Site B Site C

Land use Farmland Woodland Wildlife iHabitat Unique or Rare Habitats Area of Site Transmission Corridors

'Terrestrial Ecolog Inportant Species Present Endangered and Threatened Species Present OUnits %houldbe quantitative whenever appropriate: hWCveC, judgmenta3 eMr6 are acveptatlc if necde4..

located in critical, unique, of highly valuable haibitat struction ot operation This judgernt should be based areas. on examination ot each e-e*sl us"ng the criteria cited here and on professional biolo:cal ltetrpretation. Cons- rhe goal of the regional and local land-use surveys is derations include the biolo cal reason for timportance the selection of a preferred site that does not have and the link between the nuclear station and thc critical habitats or habitats in short local supply. Any organisrm The spvcies considered important are those site selected, of course, %,liresult in the loss of some that meet the d&fmition in Regu*tcrry Guide 4.12 and habitat and its associated residents. This loss is assessed that are linked adversely to the station in some through an inventory of species present. reasonable way. These may require further quantitative effort in the baseline studies and operational monitoring surveys.

Baseline Studies It is important that judgment be exercised in selecting the thine for initiating quantitative population studies if Baseline studies of the preferred site, including they are needed. Where construction effects are antrkips- transmission corridors, are needed to fully describe the ted. quantitative studies should beg& in the bairline site and to establish a basis for predicting the impact of phase. Where an effect of station operation is expected.

construction or operation. Baseline studies may be used it would be best to defer quantitative baseline studies for comparison with later construction or operational until some time prior to operation to ensure reasonable studies. compatibility with the operational studies. It will usually be adequate to bracket the per d of anticipated impact Biological studies of the proposed site are made in with I or 2 years of prior studies and an appropriate advance of plant construction or operation. The qualita- term of following studies.

tive notations of station and animal abundance included In the baseline inventory are normally sufficient. Quanti- Properly designed studies will avoid placinr undue tative measurement of population density Is not usually emphasis on certain easily accessible groups of orn- needed as part of the species Inventory unless profes- isms. Most species of insects. for example, are ecolo- sional judgment based on field study leads to a reason- gically important In local food webs. However, species able conclusion that one or more populations of that cannot reasonably be judged threatened by the Important species could be adversely affected by con- nuclear station or that are not likely to become of 4

4.11-4

econom1ic o.1 r public health significance because of it is normally continued for at least I year. Table 4 construction ot operation need not be studied quatiti- suggests chemicals that are usually considered ini plan.

tatively beyond the initial iniventories. Rtodeints are also ninlg the program.

ecologically imnportasit food web organisnis. However.

quantitative population mleasuremrients are riot needed as Drift from saltgatet or brackish water cooling towers long as there is no reason to believe that station contains NaC I and Ltthet salts. Tile baseline chemical construction or operation will have an effect on their measurements establish the Ni and Cl content of soils populations beyond that caused by the loss of habitat. and plants in the expected drift field of cooliig towers that use seawater or brackish water. Baseline soil Cettain station site and designs have required special measurements noirmall , include the conductivity of envitonmental assssriment effort. Thiee i,'..ude sites saturated extracts ani' phI of samples obtained froni tire With large cooling take.. or rew'tvoirs and planis having expected drift field.

ckrO t ing trowets, part tolarly itf the wate, soIrce Is vi-wvatcf or0b0a1: isfl wate,. These arc di.d ii, more detail in the t(1i4wing i:Ctuons. It' the driflt frotr either fre-liwatler or saltwater towcr is likely to rt ollal i.. .lwk

, . ccs, their ttoficellrr iJtinlls It is iniplortant that the baseline stildivs of powcr are Irreasurmd ultless it 1,; c!.t: tit the allillrts irrid stations having proposed mnan-mrade coiling laks con- concelrtraltlons ;ire SttflitCw r low ri precl ode h*rtlh sider physical anrd Olvi:ical ,elation.shlps bctweei the short.trerf t arnd cUlrlrrrr' ., adverse effects. Advirse water shed and lake; use of a new, habitwt by birds, biological eft:iecs cart rrstrally herfiled ot withr lessorn.

insects, and other anirriws in both bieeficial and adverse able certainly ri ros t elv' re nis aind crt rpr*mmrids found aspects: and the potential for successful rehabilitation of it n tire whei the expected additions corthrred with the lake basin if the station is decommissioned. Both jreexistifliz tortell wotrld rot raise tlhe concetllliration at'

beneficial and adverse effects of the lake on the environ- life Itoxrc subslanrce oulside lhie ranlge oii vithitlioll notmally found in Ilie hiota or soils of tlie regionr menrt s101uld be consideTed, Water quality of the artificial like riu.v te intluenced Chemical analyses of' soils, plants, and animals in the no, only It source water qualiry but also by ,elatioh. drift field of freshwater cooling towers ate riot usually ships with aoils and the surrounding landscape. Develop- needed when all of the following apply: (I ) the domi- nirrt of a watershed management plan ib needed as well mant salts ate hatmiless mixtutres of hiolocieral ltrlimrrents as as an estirate of the amoutltl of rtwirffi oi" dissolved slhowwn in Table 4. (2) the expected deposition ieyoild substances and soil into the lake ftorn the surrounding the nearest site boundary is less thar 20 kglha-yy of landscape, mixed salts, and (3) Lii," drilt does riot cOntlin toxic eletent*s o corCmpounds it amolntois thalt could be hazardous to plants o, atnln*ds either b% direct or A new tesrvo*i forms a new htabitat for plants and indirect exposure over tIhe expected lifelintie of the animals. Waterfowl may be attracted in suhstantial facility.

numbiexrs during their normal migration and their nfigra- tion habits may be altered, e.g., by overwinteting in a northern chnmte om a warni.water lake. Waterfowl Usually, relference specimens of' soils, plants, and attracted to a lake may cause econrnit. loss to agricul- animals for possible future aiilysis ;are retaihed iii cases ture by their feeding activities and may cause degrada. where it is determinied tihat drift presert rs a chemilcl lion of the lake water quality ifom their metabolic halTzard to the envillolniltnt. The spýcirtietis tilay consist wastes. of subsarirples of matertal that were collected prior to tower uperatirn afnd analyzed for baseline data. The Evaporative cooling towers affect ecosystems by stored samples are adequately protected for analytical

&eposition of drift containing dissolved minerals oft the pu rpose s.

landscape or by production of fog. Drift may be beneficdal or adverse depending on the chemlical c.m.

pound# and elements being deposited and the amounts of depostion. The baseline program is designed to Constnrction Monitoring evwduatt the, potential effects of drift and to establish reference n*easmierenrts for comparison with later opera. Biological monitoring of imnportant species Is necess.

tieOed mnfltoring obsenatlons by determinIng the ary if unavoidable construction practice causes a threat amounts and kinds of alirborne chen*icals being deposi. to some natural population or ecosystem that could ted on site prior to cooling tower operation. Acceptable extend beyond the bounds of the area actually dedicated data could be obtained from existing sources of inform.a to construction or associated activities. it such cases, tion or from monthly sampling of collectors that collect studies may be designed to document the impact and rboth dry and wet fallout. If a sampling program is used, develop possible corrective actions.

4.11.5

I -- I I - I

TABLE 4 ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS OF POSSIBLE CONCERN

IN CHEMICAL MONITORING PROGRAMS

FOR TERRESTRIAL SYSTEMS

Rt BtvOiosoicsl kafrard

0

Group

.Wlnot vi r.Q r"-. z

x. cpt in

4 3 4 * 4 Ca, Mg, K, -kn Nil cron iti rienI

Cu. Zn. Co, 8. Mo..V.. No hs"~Ji 0Whu~a~ of Fe. I"

tsakwrns ye !otweiale to hugh Chemical compounds ,NJ. C, F. 11CO) Co 2 ktinor flhk at Winez'r'

commonly found in envirom*wnt. sonic dpen~icr c'nwircji '4m required by animals

1.oQdum saall ruve Irxh rrk Toxic Ph, I1g. Cd, Cr. Ai Pie.vrn~ed high. bologicila risk atI ail ~.ic ~auii albjvc thow'i ntmally found in nsture.

Bijocides added to All Preiurned high hi~nlopjcal risk cuoling wate.s if Present in cooing tower drift.

Operasionall Mon~itoring C, REGULATORY POSITION

Monitoring after coimnl ence n!ihtof station opera- i. It is important to co.rdinate all the programs tions is intended to determine whether or not there are discussed in Regulatory Guides 4.1. -Program. for Mdont- adverse biological effects attributable to station opera- toting Radioactivity in the Environs of Nuclear Power tions. This monitoring program is outlined in detail in Plants," and 4.2, "Preparation of Enritonrental Reports the technical specifications that arc issued in connection for Nuclear Powmer Stations'" Since precise prediction.

with the station operating license. The scope of these and assessments of impacts on terrestrial ecologicil studies is determined by the degree of direct linkage systems are not allways p,.ssible, reasonable professictra between the proposed station and the terrestrial eco- interpretations ýhould be made v*hen quantitative pre- system. It is not necessary to hypothesize vague effects diction is impossible.

or to undertake a program to measure a phenomenon that has no reasonable relationship to station operation.

However, when an adverse relationship between station operation and a terrestrial community Is reasonably thought to exist, a thorough evaluation is necessary. This 2. Adequate assessment of current land-use status evaluation is usually started during site selection or should show (by a table, for example) major l-and-use baseline survey stages and continued after commence- categories and areas devoted to each category along ment of station operation. with aerial photographs showing the same categories.

When data are not available from existing records, an There may be cases In which no important impact on acceptable means of acquiring them would be through the terrestrial ecological community is anticipated. When the use of aerial photographs in conjunction with such cases are adequately supported. there may be ground reconnaissance. The scale of photographs no necessity for terrestrial monitoring during operation. should be appropriate to the degree of detail required.

4.11.6

3. Di)ussioi of .Ails shoulk inclode ussociatimn If cooling towers arte being considered, the mineral na~nws.' c~apbill' elasscs,# and p~erc'entge or" sil conzent ot the cooling water supply should be coverage by eack amociatiun. 1Whn lliwunlmlts .;l*ssucij. determined in lte baseline studies. An estimte should tlols of ,iiilo extent 1."C prcot li. it is acceptable to ti" made of the amounts and dispersion of salts accouilt for 10 to I Slyfl o, the total utea in a tiui:ella- expected to be deposited froni the towers. The neous cukgoiii. . rxcept for areas of ci;ique %alue. eistimate should t., based oin cooling water q1ualiy.

Dktrilc,, ¢onlsiderationtof soils and t11e1 productioin maunufa:t.urc r's specificationss to* drift release fronm the potential is necessary fot biles located iln areas that are towers, concentration factors, and prevadiin ceteono.

especially productivc of agiicu tirfal or fotwstty prod. logical conditions at the site, Meteorological disperswon uctI . models atre useful to obtain estimates of drift deposition.

Elsthiated drift deposition fronl coouling tuweis may be

4. lbldogical momuitrig prtjigam.s sho,:h1 he inlioaly Plotted on a base map or graph centered on the towers devisd Io b0v sci, 1I i ri.:vedhes to detctI k1.lesil- and showing isopleths of salt deposit io

n. The maps

4ble Milects. If aidvcrsc biological ftle,'ts are dctecled. should have a radius sufficient to show the ointstiat dc-taied ito aitic hf4h4giuhiJ "nd e"olohg.ka analyses which -the amountt of drilft tomm the lower fall within itlay hlie IriiUicd to deieimijle cattse anid t) devise thle normal range of annual variation of backgtound I('.".tR' Ii ;3dVerseC 1t¢l t1 l lc lot dcltected qHatll U deposition from other sources. They should also show tative studies are rot neredad. thc vegetation types that occur in the drift field.

The sjic,ýwý invenlory of tile site should include Reco-lnaissance iand intpectioi of Woh.wa in Ihliit imlpt*litan 1wihi las id norirnal scastoitu variationS. Lo- field beforc and a'fter cooling tower operation is ait1Ci:11,1 call, pro)milnt 0i1limporlanlt ,asculat plants, fiaintials, Icornmended It' delecltion ot" pi:;sible adverse tlfTects birds repuies, amphiblans. inwects, and other plants and of drift. The baseline hnI.neclion should be caitied out iy animnals should be included. The invenlory should he specialists In; biology workingg systC t'liltically foillt check.

terisonably cormnpelbe hut may be terrinated when addi. lists of possible advetse effects% In the coniunily, tioiq field effort no lo k.gr yields significant numbers of Scasonal aerial and giound-level photographs in color or previoisly unobstn-cd tpecles. inf.ared false color of iwrilanetit vegetation plots are often useful aids. Quanttiatlse chemical analysis of The inventory of inv,,ctsNieed not account for all plants, animals, and soils arc needed if chemical deposits spCeie FiMce it RmRybN po,,lble oIQfind previouVly are expected to exceed toxic or injurious thrcsholds.

wjitabulated species for years after the beginning of the Population monitoring of selected species could also he study. Insect surveys should provide Information on needed in such cases.

important specics such as disease vectors, pests. and pollinating insects. Interpretation of insect data should The assessment of coolinig lakes should include a inclu.de whether or not populations could he altered, detailed consideration ol the effects of land diversion oin Willh advers consequences Io alnimls, vegetation, or local, regional, 31nd Staie agriculitual prodctlI0ion, foresl humans, by construction or operation of the station.

production, on rmc teat loital uses. The assessment should include both adveise and beneficial aspects of cooling Protectton of terrestrial syxtenri is usually adequate lake onstruction, Where a cooling lake: Is pitoposcd. ithe when it can be shown that (I) habitat losses or ba.eline studies should Include a prelimInury assessnent alterations are insignificant to populations of Important of the potential for rechtination of the lake boltton for species in the regional or local context, (2) cheotical agricultural, ccologlcad, or forestry use after decotninis.

emissions from the station ate sufficiently small to sloning. It Is not necessary, however, ito prejudge tuluue permit reasonable assurance that no adverse effect will u11 of the lake site It is sufficient to establish whether occur, and (3) no mechinism exists for causing uin- the option exists to reclalt the site for other pioducLtivC

tended destruction of organisms, or its occurrence Is uses or whether tile creation of the lake consiltutes an infrequent enough to give reasonable assurance that irretrievable change In land use.

whole populations will nol be adversely affected.

Environmental protection should be achieved by The asscssinenl should also include a report of the control of common Sources of environmental effects. number of hectares of the lake site that will feittain These Include soil erosion, siltation, use of herbicides. undisturbed during construction, thle number of hectares dust and noise during construction, and others. and vegetation that will be disturbed, the source of Biological conequences can usually be prevented or "borrow" material for dike construction, and the man- reduced to acceptable levels through proper manage- agement of' topsoil removed during constructiion. Use of rent. topsoil stripped fronm the lake bottom for vegetative stabilization of dikes and for ultimate replacement on

  • U.S. Deptment of Agriculturte I-VNi System should be used. the lake bottom for rehabilitation should be considered.

4.11.7

If - veIa"WitnA~~

na s,

11.. capability class.* and pCerIteagc of "lie Conteni A tinjil, zuorl4d ftb

"aA' ) nyly o

4Oc~erap by each.xa~x-iatv.-n V. cn unomceo'. msxiz- paerntsed in tisd *idQ vaeed tfr dpoi ").Je tions, of rnrino extent 1 e pr.Xinl. I, n act;.IANC 1, account for 10 to 15'5.* of the iotwl arco in a ritawe!. expeted to eedl. tow or 'ýsc f't¢,1bh nIeous category, except tot areas of ct~*ique Vtut. Cs lettnma ou"d 4.cte it b d t ~aL - .v;IaZ

Detailed consideration of sujs. and tfir prudthjitwn rn Tanul.: etunr,'s ,i nI dr z tek.ýat.d

,ii "A-et III:-.

potential is necessary for sites located in areaex tha4 are dtoAers. cron.,tior*ttarlo tor* atefc nd n rtevn o especialy productive of airicultutal or forestry piod.,- ls tckiconiirons at the ute, 1eo' ai s:.n tic Is.

inclua.debush ader ~ to btvn ci dt.t ckLingi1.iI

4. Wiolugl,.al Iualltul P)toyrail*.\ >.hId b13c lurg mittilly Flotted onrt a bau nup 4:er A ceotl i-on i roe tVie devised to be succemnng pru,.edu,,% to d u!,kr u. -

able effects. If advcr.c biulogical ef(,",ts are detected, shoulid sAve shaoius sL*f,*d a t-i*4rW th* aznms X iý,t delailed quapijtrii ivc biolop-ial and c ,Kl.gic.. anAlysc.s wofjiv theptetua u f q! rici tin the r raeIl wahe-oi Ow liay heV wiqoimed to d.luwlit¢ i Iiid  :

lo ci,, the mrir;t.l ra-, m e-twe ot f atryu vf  : kick.TKu1-

1r0'1edies. Ii' advere effects arc not detcctcl. quAilti- tallve studies are irot needed. the Weewption types that thethe dorift he ics, odu The species inventory ot ithe site should ic:lure and (4 Wof.n Int~t 1re '10jt important habitats and normal Seasonal ,4fuItions, Lo. field befuCw j au.er -,oiAWF IC1oe;e op atiolt- 4 noa,ý

cally prominent ol imputlasit va*cttlar Lmants mnamals. Css41tittertlhed t'o &errctou -Atp idak1.e 4dww rffiettý

birds. rcptiles, amphibians, inwcts, and other plants And of djifs. The bav.on i u pectseri i siould be a teed out bh animals should be included. The inventory should be spn erhAIS rbaoes otke ak siten nzamth.at, wl rhemai- reasonably complete but may be merninamed when addi- nistusie pdv n Averse t if-t,is inn the r bohmutars tilonal field effort no longer yields significant nomhcrs of Scasdvetna ;1i0t tAd be pritsndvl Pdtbin ceOr or previously unobserved species. irrf:aoed false cski of permanent veprtatm Plots air often useful aids. ouante*utjrig cothemirionalysis of

'The inventory of insects necd not account for aU plants, animals, and fros are *eeded if bottofar dcpoaite

. species sifWe it may be possible to find .jeviouoly untabulated spucict for yeitts after the beginning of the study, lnscct surveys should provide Informaton on dvsitonmg Itise- ate expvcted nto nee*O, flt exceed 101cOfk hwevey orq tobwj A1e,K'Ig PojpuLitiorr monitoring of xieertrd sqpýOei cculd attso 4C

ixauris 111teshdAl~. *utl

11eedled in such cases.

important species such as disease vectors, pests, and pollinating insects. Interpretation of in.icct data should The wsessmnen vf cxv1inj; lakeý- fhould tri-Llvd a include whether or not populations could be altered.

with adverse consequences to animals, vegetation. or detabili onsoderitesn of the effects of rd divercsnt on humans. by construction or operation of the station. th aeal. reh and StAte agtri itoal. jmWd&eion. f'redi htural F170(111COOT, o~rreiJeAtiOrtAl uses. 11e J36sae1Irnt -,h1,uld include both Adverse andi bemcficial :opecis ofcoln Protection of terrestrial systems is usually adeqclate lake cumnstructiurm.%'here a cor.4ing lake it, p-oposed, ttee when it can be shown that (I) habitat losses or baseline stodies should include a prelminrthry asine-vt~t alterations are Insignificant to populations of important of the potential fut reclaxnaimsfn teC the take hottoin lar species in the regional or local context, (2) chemical agricultural, ecological. or forestry use after decomitusw emissions from the station are sufficiently small to

  • permit reasonable assurance that no adverse effe t will sioning, It ii not necessary, however, to prepbdge futurr use of the take site It is vifficient to es~tablisth whether occur, and (3) no mechanism exists for causing u.,n- the option exmists to reclaim the site for other prod~uctive tended destruction of organisms, or its occurrence Is u~s-s Or whether the Creation of the lake constituites An infrequent enough to give reasonable assurance that irretrievale change in land use.

whole populations will not be adversely affected.

Environmental protection should be achieved by The asscssment should alm) include a reprtit of the control of common sources of environmental effects. number of hectares of the lake site that will remain These include soil erosion, siltation, ut: of herbicides, undisutubed during construction, the numbeT of hectare~s dust and noise during construction, and others. and vegetation that rMil be disturbed, the source of Biological consequences can usually be prevented or "borrow" material for dike constructiorm. and the man- reduced to acceptable levels through proper manage- agement of topsoil removed during construction. Use of ment. topsoil stripped front the lake bottom for vegetative stabilization of dikes and for ultimate replacement ont

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture l-NtU System should be used. the lake bottom for rehabilitation should be considered.

4.11-7

When a pruposed lake is to be built on substrates b. Dust Contrl -- OD t should be controlled by

.having a potential for affecting water quality, chemical watering, gpaveling. kn paving. Areas subjec to wind analyses of the substrates should be performed. The erosion should be controlled by mulching or seedin,.

elements to be measured depend on the nature of the c. ,oiaW Conrrtd Noise should be monoimred at zite substrate. If the substrate is formerly fertili.ed farndand. bounda~ies.

analysis for elements common to chemical fertiliers is needed. If the substrate is land of some special history,. d. Smoke Contrul - Open slash busaing of plant such as strip-mine land, appropriate chemical assessmnent nateriai shouidJ be conducted in accidanct *eith local of the water-soluble and exchange- ,le components ,of and State regulations.

thle substrate should be made to obtain an estimate of *C. ChOwdcal and Solid Wase Ccnfrol ..- Cerryta..

chemical input to the lake. Special attention is given cleiicahs, fuels. sanmry 'asie'. lublic.an2s. bilwrcit ý

those elements that-could reach toxic concentrations in flushing solutions, om other potentially hatzzid,.:.mi water, accumulate to toxic levels in food .-:"bs. or affect rruterials should bc vavaged or disharged sifet) in the pil of the Like. The chemical analyses should be accordance with existing regulatos. Spills ,sh..Wdtb performed on appropriate chemical extracts of the soil cle;ned up before dhey become a hazard.

material. The characterization of soil material shouid also include deteumination of exchanri. capacity, organic f. Soil Erosion and Sediment Conpul -E!-

matter, ph, and textural class. should be cont odled by piped drainagt. diversion dikes.

flumes, sediment control structures,. ground r*mcn. o.

When a reservoir is proposed, the baseline studies other appropriate neanf..

should *: !ude reasonable predictions of the numober of g. Dewneerirg. D)watern~g. *iouid b.cotonfined to birds (especially waterfowl) expected to use the lake on the area needed for construction; test wells or pie- an annual basis, their expected residence time. the existing wells should be monitored ":wch.ne.s in t&,)

expected Impact on farnilands, and all other impacts water table.

either on the birds themselves or on the surrounding area due to their prescnce. The estimates should be the best If. after analysis o( the inventory oi svperis and obtainable bawed on known flyways, estimates of farm acreages nearby, literature, or 1,xal evidence of bird consideration of potential effects of the nuclear ;pwer station, a conclusion is wartanmed Otuf if.erte vvi K- tit, utilization of other rescrvuirs under similar conditions. advesew impact on biota, there may be no need to carry If significant numbers of waterfowl are expected to out biological nionitoring ptopanms at the ctstroctih and operational stages and, correspondi,.gy, these mny congregate at the lake for app e'lable periods of time, a monitoring progiam should be started when the lake ha-s be no wtee.d to tnitiate such piograms during the bascnire been filled The program should determine the number stage.

of waterfowl, the extent of crop damage in hectares. the Special studk;s could he necessary if adverse effects value of crop lost on art annual basis due to bird fecifing, on hiota are detected and there is no obvious explana- and the numbers of dead or obviously diseased birds.

tion or remedy for the effect. In the usual ca.se, however, if habitat loss or alteration, dicrnjcal emissions, or direct

5. Whcn adverse effects of construction ot operation destruction of organisms do not constitute a threat to a can be reasonably inferred from information obtained population of an important species. the effect need not during the baseline phase, quantitative studies that can be studied further even though it is important in an be compared with later studies during construction or ecological sense.

operational phases should be initiated. Such studies could Include measurements of population densities of endangered species or chemical measurements of toils

D. IMPLEMENTATION

and blota within the potential drift field of a cooling tower, for example. The purpose of this section is to provide information to applicants regarding the NRC staff's plans for using The preferred method of biological protection on this regulatory guide.

many constructlon sites is direct control of potentially injurious work practice. Systematic inspection during This guide reflects current NRC staff practice. There- construction at the site along transmission corridors and fore, except in those cases in which the applicant in adjacent areas should be used to detect injurious or proposes an acceptable alternative methud for com, unauthorized activities. Examples of items that may be plying with specified portions of the Commission's checked are: regulations, the method described herein is being and will continue to be used in the evaluation of submittals for operating license or construction permit applications a. TPafflc Control - Vehicles should be confined to until this guide is revised as a result of suggestions from authorized roadways and stream crossings. the public or additional staff review.

4.11-8


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