Regulatory Guide 4.11

Terrestrial Environmental Studies for Nuclear Power Stations

ML13350A243
Person / Time
Issue date:	07/31/1976
From:	NRC/OSD
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RG-4.011
Download: ML13350A243 (9)

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