U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Revision 2 

October 1982

REGULATORY GUIDE 

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH 

REGULATORY GUIDE 3.8 

PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS 

FOR URANIUM MILLS

USNRC REGULATORY GUIDES 

Regulatory Guides are issued to describe and make available to the public methods acceptable to the NRC staff of Implementing 

specific parts of the Commission's regulations, to delineate tech niques used by the staff In evaluating specific problems or postu lated accidents or to provide guidance to applicants. Regulatory Guides are not substitutes for regulations, and compliance with them is not required. Methods and solutions different from those set out in the guides will be acceptable if they provide a basis for the findings requisite to the issuance or continuance of a permit or license by the Commission. 

This guide was issued after consideration of comments received from the public. Comments and suggestions for improvements in these guides are encouraged at all times, and guides will be revised, as appropriate, to accommodate comments and to reflect new informa

tion or experience.

Comments should be sent to the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555, Attention: Docketing and Service Branch. 

The guides are issued in the following ten broad divisions: 

1. Power Reactors 6. Products 2. Research and Test Reactors 7. Transportation 3. Fuels and Materials Facilities 8. Occupational Health 4. Environmental and Siting 9. Antitrust and Financial Review 5. Materials and Plant Protection 10. General 

Copies of issued guides may be purchased at the current Government Printing Office price. A subscription service for future guides in spe cific divisions is available through the Government Printing Office. Information on the subscription service and current GPO prices may be obtained by writing the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 

Washington, D.C. 20555, Attention: Publications Sales Manager.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

INTRODUCTION ............. ............................ .... iv 

CHAPTER I PROPOSED ACTIVITIES ....... .................... .... 1-1 

CHAPTER 2 THE SITE ........... ......................... .... 2-1 

2.1 Site Location and Layout ....... .................... .... 2-1 

2.2 Uses of Adjacent Lands and Waters ..... ............... .... 2-1 

2.3 Population Distribution ............. .................... 2-3 

2.4 Regional, Historic, Archeological, Architectural, 

Scenic, Cultural, and Natural Landmarks .............. .... 2-3 

2.5 Geology and Soils .......... ....................... .... 2-4 

2.6 Seismology ............ ........................... ... 2-4 

2.7 Hydrology ............. ........................... ... 2-4 

2.7.1 Ground Water .......... ...................... ... 2-5 

2.7.2 Surface Water ......... ...................... ... 2-5 

2.8 Meteorology ............. .......................... ... 2-5 

2.9 Ecology .................. ............................ 2-6 

2.10 Background Radiological Characteristics ........ ............ 2-8 

2.11 Background Nonradiological Characteristics .............. .... 2-8 

2.12 Other Environmental Features ...... .................. ... 2-8 

CHAPTER 3 THE MILL AND MINE(S) ........ ................... ... 3-1 

3.1 Site Area ................................... 3-1 

3.2 External Appearance of Mill ........ .................. ... 3-1 

3.3 Mill Circuit. .. .......................... 3-1 

3.4 Sources of Mill Wastes and Effluents ..... .............. ... 3-2 

3.5 Controls of Mill Wastes and Effluents .... ............. .... 3-2 

3.6 Sanitary and Other Mill Waste Systems .... ............. .... 3-2 

3.7 Mining Activities .......... ....................... .... 3-3 

CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF SITE PREPARATION, MILL 

CONSTRUCTION, AND MINE OPENING ..... .............. ... 4-1 

4.1 Site Preparation and Construction ..... ............... .... 4-1 

4.2 Resources Committed .......... ...................... ... 4-2 

CHAPTER 5 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF MILLS AND MINE OPERATION ........ 5-1 

5.1 Radiological Impact on Biota Other than Humans ........... .... 5-1 

5.1.1 Exposure Pathways ....... .................... .... 5-1 

5.1.2 Effluents in the Environment ..... .............. ... 5-2

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) 

Page 

5.2 Radiological Impact on Humans ...... ................. .... 5-2 

5.2.1 Exposure Pathways ............ .................... 5-2 

5.2.2 Liquid Effluents ............. .................... 5-2 

5.2.3 Airborne Effluents ........ ................... .... 5-3 

5.2.4 Direct Radiation ..................................... 5-3 

5.2.5 Summary of Annual Radiation Doses ....... ............ 5-3 

5.3 Chemical Impacts on Humans .......... ................... 5-3 

5.4 Effects of Sanitary and Other Waste Discharges ..... ......... 5-4 

5.5 Other Effects .................. ........................ 5-4 

5.6 Resources Committed ............... ...................... 5-4 

CHAPTER 6 EFFLUENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS AND MONITORING 

PROGRAMS ........... ......................... .... 6-1 

6.1 Applicant's Preoperational Environmental Programs .... ....... 6-2 

6.1.1 Surface Water ....... ..................... .... 6-2 

6.1.2 Ground Water ......... ...................... ... 6-2 

6.1.3 Air ............ ........................... ... 6-2 

6.1.4 Land ............. .......................... ... 6-3 

6.1.5 Radiological Surveys ...... ................. .... 6-4 

6.2 Applicant's Proposed Operational Monitoring Programs .......... 6-4 

6.2.1 Radiological Monitoring ...... ................. .... 6-4 

6.2.2 Chemical Effluent Monitoring ..... .............. .... 6-4 

6.2.3 Meteorological Monitoring ......... ................ 6-5 

6.2.4 Ecological Monitoring ....... .................. 6-5 

6.3 Related Environmental Measurement and Monitoring 

Programs ............ ..... ...................... ... 6-5 

CHAPTER 7 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF ACCIDENTS .... ............ .... 7-1 

7.1 Mill Accidents Involving Radioactivity ................. ... 7-1 

7.2 Transportation Accidents .............. .................. 7-1 

7.3 Other Accidents ................. ........................ 7-1 

CHAPTER 8 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF MILL CONSTRUCTION 

AND OPERATION ......... ....................... .... 8-1 

8.1 Benefits .................. ............................ 8-1 

8.2 Costs ............... ............................. .... 8-2 

CHAPTER 9 DECOMMISSIONING AND RECLAMATION ..... .............. ... 9-1 

CHAPTER 10 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTION ...... ........... 10-1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) 

Page 

CHAPTER 11 BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS ............ .................. 11-I 

CHAPTER 12 ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS AND CONSULTATIONS ..... ........ 12-1 

CHAPTER 13 REFERENCES ........... ........................ .. 13-1 

APPENDIX A POPULATION DISTRIBUTION DATA ..... .............. ... A-1 

APPENDIX B PRINCIPAL PARAMETERS FOR RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT .... B-1 

APPENDIX C METEOROLOGICAL DATA ...... ................... .... C-1

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INTRODUCTION 

1. National Environmental Goals 

Prior to the issuance of a license authorizing uranium milling activities, 

the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is required to assess the potential 

environmental effects of the proposed activities in order to ensure that 

issuance of the license will be consistent with the national environmental 

goals. In order to obtain information essential for this assessment, the 

Commission requires each applicant for a license to submit a report on the 

potential environmental impact of the proposed uranium mill and related 

activities. 

The national environmental goals are expressed by the National Environ

mental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (Public Law 91-190, 83 Stat. 852), as follows: 

"...it is the continuing responsibility of the Federal Government 

to use all practicable means, consistent with other essential 

considerations of national policy, to improve and coordinate 

Federal plans, functions, programs, and resources to the end that 

the Nation may-

"(1) fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee 

of the environment for succeeding generations; 

"(2) assure for all Americans safe, healthful, productive, and 

esthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings; 

"(3) attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environ

ment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other 

undesirable and unintended consequences; 

"(4) preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects 

of our national heritage, and maintain, wherever possible, an 

environment which supports diversity and variety of individual 

choice; 

"(5) achieve a balance between population and resource use which 

will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life's 

amenities; and 

"(6) enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the 

maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources." 

In addition to NEPA, the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, and the Energy 

Reorganization Act of 1974, numerous other pieces of legislation and implementing 

regulations, both Federal and State, may affect the siting and operation of 

uranium mills. Some of these laws, such as the Endangered Species Act of 

1973, require the NRC to determine acceptability of the mill site and operation. 

Compliance with other laws such as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act 

must be merely reported to the NRC.

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No attempt is made in this guide to discuss any of these requirements in 

detail. The applicant should make an independent determination of those 

statutes and regulations that may affect the proposed mill. Early consul

tation with the NRC staff is encouraged to determine the applicability of 

environmental requirements in specific instances. 

2. Applicant's Environmental Reports 

10 CFR Part 51, "Licensing and Regulatory Policy and Procedures for 

Environmental Protection," § 51.40, "Environmental Reports," requires that 

each applicant for a license authorizing uranium milling submit 15 copies of 

a separate document, "The Applicant's Environmental Report," with the license 

application. The applicant must retain an additional 110 copies of the 

environmental report for distribution to Federal, State, and local officials 

in accordance with written instructions issued by the NRC's Director of the 

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. The applicant's environ

mental reports are important documents of public record. Therefore, the 

applicant is urged to give full attention to their accuracy and completeness. 

The environmental report must discuss the following environmental 

considerations: 

a. The environmental impact of the proposed action, 

b. Any adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided should the 

proposal be implemented, 

c. Alternatives to the proposed action, 

d. The relationship between local short-term uses of the human environ

ment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, 

and 

e. Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources that 

would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented. 

The discussion of alternatives to the proposed action in the environmental 

report must be sufficiently complete to aid the Commission in developing and 

exploring, pursuant to Section 102(2)(D) of the National Environmental Policy 

Act, "...appropriate alternatives... in any proposal which involves unresolved 

conflicts concerning alternative uses of available resources." 

Under § 51.20, "Applicant's Environmental Report -- Construction Permit 

Stage," the environmental report must also include a benefit-cost analysis 

that considers and balances the environmental effects of the facility and the 

alternatives available for reducing or avoiding adverse environmental effects, 

as well as the environmental, economic, technical, and other benefits of the 

facility. The benefit-cost analysis must, to the fullest extent practicable, 

quantify the various factors considered. To the extent that such factors 

cannot be quantified, they must be discussed in qualitative terms. The environ

mental report should contain sufficient data to aid the Commission in its 

development of an independent benefit-cost analysis covering the factors 

specified.

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The environmental report must further include a discussion of the status 

of compliance of the facility with applicable environmental quality standards 

and requirements that have been imposed by Federal, State, and regional agencies 

having responsibility for environmental protection. In addition, the environ

mental impact of the facility should be fully discussed with respect to matters 

covered by such standards and requirements irrespective of whether a certifica

tion from the appropriate authority has been obtained (including, but not 

limited to, any certification obtained pursuant to Section 401 and any discharge 

permit obtained pursuant to Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control 

Act, as amended). While compliance with NRC standards and criteria pertaining 

to radiological effects will be necessary to meet the licensing requirements 

of the Atomic Energy Act, the benefit-cost analysis for the purposes of the 

National Environmental Policy Act must consider the radiological effects 

together with a broad range of other environmental effects of the facility. 

3. Preparation of Environmental Reports 

a. Purpose of This Guide 

The Commission's regulations in 10 CFR Part 51 provide only general 

information concerning the content of an applicant's environmental report. 

This guide has been prepared to provide specific and detailed guidance for the 

preparation of environmental reports for uranium mills. Where appropriate, 

similar information should also be provided for support or ancillary facilities 

(e.g., heap leach and ion exchange facilities) both within and outside the 

mill site boundary. 

The guide identifies information needed by the NRC staff to assess 

the potential environmental effects of the proposed uranium mill and directly 

associated mining activities and establishes a format acceptable to the staff 

for its presentation. Conformance with this standard format, however, is not 

required. Use of the format of this guide will help ensure the completeness 

of the information provided, will assist the NRC staff and others in locating 

the information, and will aid in shortening the time needed for the review 

process. 

The environmental report and the application, as discussed in 

Regulatory Guide 3.5, "Standard Format and Content of License Applications for 

Uranium Mills," should be submitted together. These documents provide the 

basis for the licensing action on the facility. 

b. Scope of This Guide 

In order to cover a wide variety of anticipated situations, the 

scope of this guide is comprehensive. In some instances, requests for specific 

information may not be applicable to a particular mill or site. The applicant 

should identify those areas where the information requested is not relevant to 

the particular mill under consideration. If any topics in this guide relate 

to information not available at the time the report is prepared, the applicant 

should indicate when the information will be available.

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c. Presentation of Information

The applicant should strive for clear, concise presentation of the 

information provided in the environmental report. Each subject should be 

treated in sufficient depth and with sufficient documentation* to permit the 

Commission to evaluate the extent of the environmental impact independent of 

the applicant's analysis. 

When an evaluation of information or data is necessary to show 

compliance with a regulation, the applicant should clearly state the conclusion 

of the evaluation and present the analyses and supporting data in sufficient 

detail to permit an independent reviewer to verify this result. Tables, line 

drawings, and photographs should be used wherever they contribute to the 

clarity and brevity of the report. The number of significant figures stated 

in numerical data should reflect the accuracy of the data. Descriptive and 

narrative passages should be concise. In cases where test results are needed 

to support conclusions, test data, procedures, techniques, and equipment used 

to perform tests should be included. 

Pertinent published information relating to the site, the mill, and 

its surroundings should be referenced. Where published information or assump

tions are essential to evaluate specific environmental effects of the proposed 

activities, they should be included in summary or verbatim form in the environ

mental report or as an appendix to the report.•* 

Some of the information that should be included in the environmental 

report may have already been prepared by the applicant during preparation of 

the license application for the proposed mill. In such cases, this information 

(whether in the form of text, tables, or figures) should be incorporated in 

the environmental report, where appropriate, to provide a complete document. 

The site for the mill may also be the site of the mine. If there is 

a proposed mine adjacent to or in the vicinity of the mill site, the applicant 

should consider the cumulative or synergistic effects of directly associated 

mining activities when preparing the environmental report relating to such a 

mill. 

Documentation as used in this guide means information, supporting data, and 

statements and includes (1) references to published information, (2) citations 

from the applicant's experience, and (3) reference to unpublished information 

developed by the applicant or the applicant's consultants. Statements not 

supported by documentation should be identified either as information for 

which documentation is not available or as expressions of belief or judgment. 

The distinction between pertinent and essential hinges on the effect that the 

information may have in the review of potential impacts to public health and 

safety and the environment. Useful information that is not likely to impact 

public health and safety or the environment is pertinent. However, informa

tion that may reasonably be necessary for the review to ensure protection of 

public health and safety and the environment is essential.

vii
CHAPTER 1. PROPOSED ACTIVITIES 

This chapter of the environmental report should discuss the proposed project and the activities to be conducted as a result of the project. For 

example, the applicant should address such matters as ore reserves, ore-body locations, anticipated quantity of ore to be mined and milled, mining methods, plans for overburden storage and disposal, ore transport, milling processes, plans for tailings disposal and management, transport of product, operating plans and schedules, expected longevity of the project, U3 08 content of the 

ore, ore processing rate, concentrate yield, planned end use of the project 

areas, and surety arrangements for the eventual decommissioning of the mill 

and reclamation of the areas impacted.

1-1
CHAPTER 2. THE SITE 

This chapter should present the basic relevant information concerning 

those physical, biological, human, and social characteristics of the area 

potentially affected by the proposed project that might be affected by the 

construction and operation of a uranium milling project and its associated 

activities in the region. To the extent possible, the information presented 

should reflect observations and measurements made over periods of time sufficient 

to allow defensible conclusions to be reached. 

2.1 Site Location and Layout 

A map should be provided that shows the site and its location with respect 

to State, county, and other political subdivisions. On detailed maps, show the 

location of the boundary of the proposed restricted area (10 CFR Part 20); the 

applicant's property; adjacent properties, including water bodies, wooded 

areas, and farms; nearby settlements; industrial plants, parks, and other 

public facilities; and transportation links (railroads, highways, waterways). 

Indicate total acreage owned or leased by the applicant and that part occupied 

by or which will be modified for the mine and mill. Indicate other existing 

and proposed uses of applicant's property and the acreage devoted to these 

uses. 

Describe any plans for site modifications such as a visitors' center. A 

contour map of the site should also be supplied with elevation contours of an 

interval suitable to show significant variations of the site environs and 

drainage gradients. In addition, indicate if the site is in the vicinity of a 

flood plain. This information should be supplied as separate maps, if required, 

for clarity. 

2.2 Uses of Adjacent Lands and Waters 

Indicate, within an 8-km (5-mi) radius, the nature and extent of present 

and projected land use (e.g., agriculture, livestock raising, dairies, 

pasturelands, residences, wildlife preserves, sanctuaries, hunting areas, 

industries, recreation, transportation) and any recent trends such as major or 

unexpected changes in population or industrial patterns. Note whether any 

other nuclear fuel cycle facilities are located or are proposed within an 

80-km (50-mi) radius of the site. 

Provide in tabular form for each of the 22-1/2-degree sectors centered on 

one of the 16 compass points, i.e., north, north northeast, etc., the distances 

[to a distance of 8 km (5 mi)] from the center of the site to the following: 

1. Nearest cattle (or other meat animals) grazing on natural forage, 

with types and numbers of animals specified. 

2. Nearest game animals consumed by sportsmen. 

3. Nearest residence.

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4. Nearest site boundary.

5. Nearest vegetable garden larger than 50 m2 (60 yd 2 ) in area. The 

type of crop and amounts produced should be noted. 

Where possible, the applicant should provide specific information on 

actual consumption of the meat from cattle and game animals. 

Provide data on annual production and distribution of meat (kg) and truck 

farming produce (kg) within an 80-km (50-mi) radius from the proposed facility. 

Provide information on grazing season (months of year) and feeding regimens for 

cattle. Agricultural production, crop yield, grazing, and feeding data may be 

obtained from sources such as local, State, and Federal agricultural agencies, 

agricultural agents, and other reliable sources. 

Identify the location, nature, and amounts of present and projected 

surface and ground-water use (e.g., water supplies, irrigation, reservoirs, 

recreation, and transportation) within 16 km (10 mi) of the site and the present 

and projected population (during the active life of the mill) associated with 

each use point, where appropriate. 

Data on both present and projected future water use should be summarized 

and tabulated; users should be located on maps of legible scale. Tabulations 

should include: 

1. Location: Include symbols shown on maps identifying the location of 

water users. Provide map coordinates if appropriate. 

2. Distance from mill. 

3. Withdrawal rate: Provide present and projected withdrawal rate (in 

liters per second or cubic meters per second) for each water use. 

4. Return rates: Provide present and projected return rates (in liters 

per second or cubic meters per second), if appropriate. 

5. Type of water use: Provide type of water use for each location, 

e.g., municipal, industrial, irrigation, stock/game watering. 

6. In addition, for ground-water use: Indicate depth of wells, ground

water elevation, and drawdown rates and characterize the use of each aquifer. 

7. Source and projection of water-use estimates: Where use rates are 

anticipated to change over the life of the project and beyond, indicate 

projections and the source of the projection information. Sources for such 

projections may be available from users or planning agencies at different 

levels of government. 

For items 3 and 4 above, if use varies significantly seasonally, indicate 

monthly values. 

Provide data on the annual recreational and commercial fish catch from 

waters within an 8-km (5-mi) radius of the site. Report the catch by principal

2-2
species, location, and amount used for human consumption (note amounts consumed 

locally). 

2.3 Population Distribution 

Population data presented should be based on the most recent census data. 

On a map of suitable scale that identifies places of significant population 

grouping, such as cities and towns, within an 80-km (50-mi) radius, concentric 

circles should be drawn with the mill at the center point, at distances of 0.1, 

0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 30.0, 40.0, 50.0, 60.0, 70.0 and 

80.0 kilometers. The circles should be divided into 22-1/2-degree sectors with 

each sector centered on one of the 16 compass points (with reference to true 

north, i.e., north-northeast, northeast, etc.). A table (see table in Appendix A) 

appropriately keyed to the map should provide the current residential population 

within each area for the expected first year of mill operation and census years 

through the anticipated life of the mill. The tables should provide separate 

and cumulative population totals for each sector and annular ring. Distance 

to the nearest residence should be noted for each sector. The basis for 

population projections should be described. 

Descriptive material should include tables giving the population of 

neighboring schools, plants, hospitals and residential areas within 8 km (5 mi). 

Visitor statistics for such areas as sports facilities, residential areas, and 

parks within 8 km (5 mi) of the project site(s) should also be included. 

2.4 Regional Historic, Archeological, Architectural, Scenic, 

Cultural, and Natural Landmarks 

Areas valued for their historic, archeological, architectural, scenic, 

cultural, or natural significance may be affected. The environmental report 

should include a brief discussion of the historic, scenic, archeological, 

architectural, cultural, and natural significance, if any, of the mill site 

and nearby areas with specific attention to the sites and areas listed in the 

National Registry of Natural Landmarks and properties included in or eligible 

for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. 

The National Registry of Natural Landmarks appears in 37 FR 1496. The 

National Register of Historic Places is published annually in the Federal 

Register. General guidance on the treatment of historic, archeological, 

architectural, and cultural features can be obtained by reference to the 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Regulations, 36 CFR Part 800, 

"Protection of Historic and Cultural Property," and by consulting the Cultural 

Programs Division of the nearest regional office of the National Park Service 

and the relevant State Historic Society or its equivalent. 

The applicant should submit a copy of the report on the archeological 

and historical artifact survey of the proposed site and of any areas to be 

disturbed by mill related activities. With respect to Indian lands, this survey 

should be performed with special attention to sacred areas and other special 

features uncovered from the oral history of the appropriate Indian tribe(s). 

The environmental report should identify those properties included in or 

eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places located 

within the area of the project's potential environmental impact. Also, the

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applicant should discuss its consultation with the appropriate State Historic 

Preservation Officer concerning the identification of properties included in 

or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The 

environmental report should contain evidence of this contact with the Historic 

Preservation Officer for the State involved, including a copy of the Officer's 

comments concerning the effect of the undertaking on historic, archeological, 

architectural, and cultural resources. 

State whether new roads, pipelines, and utilities connected with the 

proposed mill will pass through or near any area or location of known historic, 

scenic, cultural, natural, archeological, or architectural significance. 

2.5 Geology and Soils 

Describe the major geological and soils aspects of the site and its 

environs. The discussion should note the stratigraphy, structure, and tectonic 

history. Comment on regional continuity, faulting, dip, and strikes of water

bearing formations that will be affected. An inventory of economically important 

minerals and energy-related deposits, in addition to the uranium ore, should 

be included. Any unique mineralogical or paleontological deposits of particular 

scientific interest should also be noted. Any effect that planned operations 

might have on the future availability of other mineral resources should be noted. 

Detailed geological data at building sites and in the vicinity of tailings 

or other effluent impoundments, sanitary landfills, spoil disposal areas, and 

sewage disposal facilities should be included. These data should include strike 

and dip and lateral and vertical distribution of permeable layers, shales, and 

clays, and data on any fault, fracture, or joint pattern that may exist. Loca

tions of local outcroppings where seepage from landfills, dumps, impoundments, 

and sewage facilities is likely to occur should be noted. 

The location of ground water with respect to tailings disposal areas, 

spoil dumps, liquid impoundments, sanitary landfills, and sewage disposal 

facilities is important for the assessment of possible ground-water 

contamination. The discussion should include a statement concerning the 

hydraulic properties (such as permeability and porosity) of the materials 

between the ground water and these facilities. 

2.6 Seismology 

Discuss the seismicity (including history) of the region. Where possible, 

associate seismic events with tectonic features identified in the geology 

discussion. Furnish a regional earthquake epicenter map showing site location. 

2.7 Hydrology 

The effects of mine, mill, and other project facilities construction and 

operation on adjacent surface and ground waters are of prime importance. The 

applicant should describe, in quantitative terms, the physical, chemical, 

biological, radiological and hydrological characteristics, the typical seasonal 

ranges and averages, and the historical extremes for surface- and ground-water 

bodies. Information relating to water quality characteristics should include 

measurements made on or in close proximity to the site.

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Information should be presented in sufficient detail to allow an independent 

staff review of the effects of construction and operation on both resources. 

Data should be presented in metric units as specified by the U.S. Geological 

Survey.* 

2.7.1 Ground Water 

Describe the hydrology of the region that affects the local ground-water 

aquifers, formations, sources, and sinks. Describe the recharge potential of 

the immediate plant area, including vertical and horizontal permeabilities of 

the natural and modified terrain, as well as that of tailing disposal areas. 

Indicate gradients and seasonal variations in ground-water levels beneath the 

site. Furnish sufficient site-specific data for the evaluation of the effects 

of construction and operation of the facility on established ground-water 

tables and usage. This is especially important for consideration of dewatering 

operations in associated mines. 

Descriptions of the major aquifers in the area should include piezometric 

contour maps, hydraulic gradients, permeabilities for representative geologic 

features, total and effective porosities, bulk density estimates, storage 

coefficients, dispersion and distribution (sorption) coefficients, descriptions 

of pertinent geologic formations and soil types, including formation depth 

throughout the site and to the nearest downgradient well or water body, chemical 

and radiological properties, and time histories of ground-water fluctuations. 

The applicant should provide data concerning any drawdown of ground water 

that may be caused by withdrawals from neighboring major industrial, agricultural, 

or municipal wells. 

2.7.2 Surface Water 

Describe the location, size, shape, and other hydrologic characteristics 

of water bodies in the environs of the site. Surface-water descriptions for 

receiving streams should include the channel shape, slope, roughness coefficient, 

sediment concentrations (suspended), flow records (at nearest gauges), and 

dispersion coefficients; for ponds and lakes the geometry of the bed, wind 

currents, and suspended solids (sediment) concentration. 

Include a description of upstream and downstream river control structures, 

and provide a topographic map showing the major hydrologic features. 

2.8 Meteorology 

This section should provide a description of the meteorological diffusion 

characteristics of the site and its surrounding area. The description should 

include the use of data collected for at least one annual cycle from an onsite 

or nearby local meteorological station, plus examination of additional regional 

meteorological information. Sufficient data should be included to permit 

'A. M. Orellama and S. M. Lang, "Conversion Factors: SI Metric and U.S. 

Customary Units," U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Distribution, 

1200 S. Eads St., Arlington, Virginia 22202.

2-5
independent staff evaluation and assessment of atmospheric diffusion 

characteristics. 

The following data concerning site meteorology from meteorological measure

ments taken onsite and at nearby representative stations should be presented: 

1. Quarterly and annual wind rose presentation for the 16 compass 

directions. 

2. Quarterly and annual wind speed, wind direction, and atmospheric 

stability data in joint frequency form at heights representative of effluent 

releases. 

3. Total precipitation and evaporation by month. 

This information should be fully documented as to validity of its 

representation of expected long-term conditions at and near the site. 

Present the joint wind speed-stability-direction frequencies (in item 2 

above) in tabular form, giving the frequencies as fractions when using 5-year 

National Weather Service summaries or as number of occurrences when using only 

1 or 2 years of onsite data. The data should be presented for each of the 

16 compass directions, and the stability categories should be established to 

conform as closely as possible with those of Pasquill.* In addition, the annual 

average inversion height should be provided from other nearby weather stations. 

Guidance on acceptable onsite meteorological measurements and data format 

for nuclear reactors is presented in Regulatory Guide 1.23, "Onsite Meteorological 

Programs." Staff guidance should be requested for adaptation of relevant 

portions of this document to the specific mill project. See Appendix A of this 

regulatory guide for appropriate format for meteorological data. 

In addition, this section should provide a discussion of general climatology, 

the existing levels of air pollution and their effects on site operations, the 

relationship of the meteorological data gathered on a regional basis to local 

data, the impact of the local terrain and large lakes and other bodies of water 

on meteorological conditions in the area, and the occurrence of severe weather 

in the area and its effects. Data on diurnal and monthly averages and extremes 

of temperature and humidity should also be provided. 

2.9 Ecology 

In this section, the applicant should describe the biota (both flora and 

fauna) in the vicinity of the site, their habitats, and their distribution. 

This initial inventory should reveal certain organisms which, because of their 

importance to the community, should be given specific attention. A species is 

"important" (for the purposes of this guide) if a specific link exists between 

the facility and the species and if one or more of the following criteria 

applies: (a) the species is commercially or recreationally valuable, (b) the 

*F. Pasquill, "The Estimation of Windborne Material," Meteorological Magazine, 

Vol. 90, pp. 33-49, 1961.

2-6
species is threatened or endangered,* (c) the species affects the well-being of some important species within criteria (a) or (b), or (d) the species is 

critical to the structure and function of the ecological system or is a 

biological indicator of radionuclides or chemical pollutants in the environment. 

The information should be presented in two separate subsections: 

"Terrestrial Ecology" and "Aquatic Ecology." The sources of information should 

be identified. As part of this identification, present a list of pertinent published material dealing with the ecology of the region. Locate and describe 

any ecological or biological studies of the site or its environs currently in 

progress. 

The initial inventory should establish the identity of the majority of 

terrestrial and aquatic organisms on or near the site and their relative 

(qualitative) abundances. The applicant should identify the "important" species 

from this list and discuss in detail their number and geographic distribution. 

The discussion should include species that migrate through the area or use it 

for breeding grounds. Special attention should be given to the relative 

importance of the site area as compared to the total regional ecosystem 

(potential or exploited). Any additional inventories should be reserved for 

those species identified as critical. 

The applicant should provide data on the count and distribution of important domestic fauna, in particular, cattle, sheep, and other meat animals that may be included in the biological pathway that ultimately could involve the exposure of humans to radionuclides. Important game animals should receive similar 

treatment. A description of marketing or consumption patterns for livestock 

or game should also be submitted, including livestock consumed by families 

with grazing rights in the mill vicinity and the extent of sales to local or 

national markets. A map that shows the distribution of the principal flora 

communities should be provided. These plant communities should be characterized 

by predominant species, successional stage, percent ground cover and annual 

yield (in animal unit months or other acceptable units). 

The discussion of species-environment relationships should include descrip tions of area usage (e.g., habitat, breeding, etc.) for important species; it 

should include life histories of important regional animals and aquatic organisms, their normal seasonal population fluctuations, and their habitat 

requirements; and it should include identification of food chains and other 

interspecies relationships, particularly when these may contribute to predic

tions or evaluations of the impact of the facility on the regional biota. 

Information on the soils of the project area(s) should include soil map(s), details of the physical and chemical characteristics of typical soil profiles with respect to potentially toxic elements and compounds, and land capacity 

In the writing and reviewing of environmental reports, specific considera

tion should be given to possible impact on any species (or its habitat) that 

has been determined by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of 

Commerce to be endangered or threatened with endangerment. New terminology 

defining "endangered or threatened with endangerment" has been promulgated in Public Law 93-205, 87 Stat. 884.

2-7
classification. The site(s) soils should be evaluated with respect to 

suitability as sources of topsoil materials during the period of interim 

stabilization and final reclamation. 

Identify any definable preexisting environmental stresses from sources 

such as pollutants, as well as pertinent ecological conditions suggestive of 

such stresses. The status of ecological succession should be described. 

Discuss the histories of any infestations, epidemics, or catastrophes that 

have had a significant impact on regional biota. 

2.10 Background Radiological Characteristics 

Regional radiological data should be reported, including both natural 

background radiation levels and results of measurements of concentrations of 

radioactive materials occurring in important biota, in soil and rocks, in air, 

and in regional surface and local ground waters. These data, whether determined 

during the applicant's preoperational surveillance program (see Section 6.1.5) 

or obtained from other sources, should be referenced. 

2.11 Background Nonradiological Characteristics 

Regional nonradiological characteristics, particularly those that are 

similar to expected site-related -effluents, should be reported. Data should 

include such parameters as heavy metals and other potentially toxic substances, 

atmospheric pollutants, and dusts that could affect water or air quality. 

Other regional sources of these same materials should be noted along with a 

discussion of the possible contribution to levels found at the facility site. 

2.12 Other Environmental Features 

For certain sites, some relevant information on the mill or mine environs 

may not clearly fall within the scope of the preceding topics. Submission of 

additional information may be appropriate with respect to some environmental 

features in order to reflect the value of the site and site environs to important 

segments of the population. Such information should be included here.

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CHAPTER 3. THE MILL AND MINE(S)

The operating mill and any directly associated mine(s) adjacent to or in 

the vicinity of the mill should be described in this chapter. The mill and 

mine effluents and related systems that interact with the environment should 

be described in detail sufficient to allow the reviewer to independently assess 

the combined environmental effects presented in this chapter of the environ

mental report. 

3.1 Site* Area 

A map of the site area should be included; it should clearly show the 

following: 

1. The location of the site boundary. 

2. The location and orientation of principal structures within the site 

area. Principal structures should be identified as to function, e.g., mines, 

ore crushing structures, chemical separation and storage, ore stock piles, waste 

rock dumps, tailings disposal areas, retention and settling ponds, explosive 

magazines, housing areas, administration buildings, yellowcake storage areas, 

parking lots. 

3. The boundary lines of any restricted areas, access to which are to 

be controlled by fences or other means. 

4. A scale that will permit the measurement of distances with reasonable 

accuracy. 

5. True north. 

3.2 External Appearance of Mill 

The building layout and plant profile should be shown to scale by line 

drawings or other illustrative techniques. The architectural design and efforts 

to make the structures and grounds esthetically pleasing should be noted. 

3.3 Mill Circuit 

The entire mill process or circuit should be quantitatively and qualitatively 

described in sufficient depth to permit confirmation of the quantities and 

constituents of all gaseous, liquid, and solid wastes and effluents generated 

in the process. The following should be included: 

1. A flow diagram of the process or circuit. 

2. A material balance diagram. 

Site means the contiguous real estate on which the mine and mill are 

located.

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3. Description of any water recycle systems.

4. Water balance diagram for the entire mining/milling project. 

3.4 Sources of Mill Wastes and Effluents 

Clearly identify the location of release points for all gaseous (include 

stack heights), liquid, and solid wastes and effluents, including bulk storage 

locations, i.e., piles of ore or tailings or overburden dumps. Specify 

quantities, concentrations, and physical, chemical, and radiological character

istics of all materials released. Average and maximum release rates should be 

included plus all pertinent supporting information such as assumptions and 

computational methods used. The quantities and concentrations of radioactive 

and nonradioactive materials that will be released into the environs should be 

compared with State and other applicable standards. 

Suggested formats for supplying this material on radioactive emissions 

are included as Appendix B of this guide. The tables supplied by the applicant 

should not be limited to the examples listed, however. 

3.5 Controls of Mill Wastes and Effluents 

Provide a description of mill waste and effluent control systems and equip

ment for minimizing to as low as is reasonably achievable the quantities of 

materials released into the environment. Identify the operating efficiency of 

such systems and equipment in relation to current best methods for controlling 

milling wastes and effluents. Also, identify the factors that affect these 

efficiencies, and describe the operating practices to be pursued during the 

life of the proposed project. 

For waste retention systems, a design analysis of the integrity of the 

proposed systems should be provided. This should include: 

1. Drawings showing the layout in plan, typical cross sections of all 

embankments showing proposed design and, if applicable, anticipated future 

extensions, and other pertinent design details. Embankment designs should 

include information on heights, top width, side slopes, freeboard, seepage 

control, and protection of embankment surfaces as well as foundation design. 

See Regulatory Guide 3.11, "Design, Construction, and Inspection of Embankment 

Retention Systems for Uranium Mills." 

2. The results of soil tests, geologic exploration, foundation materials 

stability investigations, as well as characteristics of fill material and a 

description of the construction methods and specifications. 

3.6 Sanitary and Other Mill Waste Systems 

Describe any other nonradioactive solid or liquid waste materials, such 

as sanitary, laundry, and chemical laboratory wastes that may be generated 

during operation. Describe the manner in which they will be treated and 

controlled, and describe procedures for disposal. 

Means for control and treatment of all systems subject to effluent limita

tion guidelines and standards of performance under the Federal Water Pollution 

Control Act (FWPCA) should be described.

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The applicant should (a) describe any other airborne effluents (e.g., from 

diesel engines, gas turbines, heating plants, incinerators) created during 

project operation, (b) estimate the frequency of release and describe how they 

will be treated before release to the environment, and (c) estimate the total 

quantity of pollutants to be discharged annually. 

3.7 Mining Activities 

This portion of the report should contain a thorough description of the 

interrelated mining activities including: 

1. Topographical maps showing locations and areas to be mined and haulage 

and access roads. 

2. A description of the mining method(s) to be employed, including any 

dewatering activities and associated effluents. 

3. A description of the method(s) for accumulating and storing wastes 

in order to minimize esthetic and other effects. 

4. Identification and source terms of all sources of effluents asso

ciated with mining activities (e.g., radon and particulate emissions, 

dust from haulage, storage activities), including release rates and 

concentrations and their physical and chemical characteristics. 

5. A description of methods to minimize and control releases of effluents 

into the environs. 

6. Any other information that might be helpful in assessing the environ

mental effects connected with the mining project.

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CHAPTER 4. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF SITE PREPARATION, MILL 

CONSTRUCTION, AND MINE OPENING 

The construction of a uranium mill and the openings of related mines will 

inevitably affect the environment; some of the effects will be adverse and some 

may be beneficial. Effects are considered adverse (1) if environmental change 

or stress causes a valuable or otherwise important biotic population or natural 

resource to be less safe, less healthy, less abundant, less productive, or less 

esthetically or culturally pleasing; (2) if the change or stress reduces the 

diversity and variety of individual choice, the standard of living, or the extent 

of sharing of life's amenities; or (3) if the change or stress tends to lower 

the quality of renewable resources or to impair the recycling of depletable 

resources. 

In the applicant's discussion of adverse environmental effects, it should 

be made clear which of these adverse effects are considered unavoidable and 

subject to later amelioration and which are regarded as unavoidable and 

irreversible. Those effects that represent an irretrievable commitment of 

resources should receive detailed consideration in Section 4.2. In the context 

of this discussion, "irretrievable commitment of resources" alludes to natural 

resources and means a permanent impairment of these, e.g., loss of wildlife 

habitat; destruction of nesting, breeding, or nursing areas; interference with 

migratory routes; loss of valuable or esthetically treasured natural areas; 

and use of nonrenewable resources. 

4.1 Site Preparation and Construction 

The applicant should organize the discussion in terms of the effects of 

site preparation (including mine opening) and mill construction on both land 

use and water use. The applicant should consider consequences to both human 

and wildlife populations and indicate which are unavoidable and irreversible 

according to the categorization set forth above. 

In the land-use discussion, describe how construction activities may 

disturb the existing terrain and wildlife habitats. Consider the effects of 

such activities as creating building material supply areas; building temporary 

or permanent roads, bridges, or service lines; disposing of trash; excavating; 

and land filling. Provide information bearing on such questions as what is 

the total number of acres disturbed, at which locations, over what time periods, 

will there be dust or smoke problems, what type and amount of explosives will 

be used, where, and how often. 

Indicate proximity of human populations and identify undesirable impacts 

on their environment arising from noise, disruption of stock grazing patterns, 

inconvenience because of the movement of people, material, machines, including 

activities associated with any provision of housing, transportation, and educa

tional facilities for workers and their families. Describe any expected changes 

in accessibility of historical and archeological sites in the region. Discuss 

measures designed to mitigate or reverse undesirable effects, such as erosion 

control, dust stabilization, landscape restoration, control of truck traffic, 

and restoration of affected habitats.

4-1
The discussion should also include any effects of site preparation and 

construction activities whose consequences may be beneficial to the region. 

The discussion of water use should describe the impact of site preparation 

and construction activities on area water sources. Such activities would 

include mine dewatering, diversion of streams, and placement of fill material 

in water. The applicant should describe the effects of these activities on 

fish and wildlife resources, water quality, water supply, downstream use of 

water, and esthetics, as applicable. Describe measures to control pollution 

to mitigate undesirable effects and improve habitats. 

4.2 Resources Committed 

Discuss any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources (e.g., 

commitment of land, consumptive water use, and destruction of biota) that are 

expected should site preparation and mine opening and mill construction proceed. 

Such use should be evaluated in terms of its relative and long-term net impacts, 

as well as its absolute impacts. (See Section 5.6 of this guide for more 

detailed consideration.)

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CHAPTER 5. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF MILLS AND MINE OPERATION

This chapter should describe the interaction of the mill and mine (discussed 

in Chapter 3) and the environment (discussed in Chapter 2) during the operating 

phase of the project. To the extent possible, material presented in Chapters 2 

and 3 does not need to be repeated. Measures planned to reduce any undesirable 

effects of the total project on the environment should be described in detail. 

In the discussion of environmental effects, as in Chapter 4, effects that 

are considered unavoidable but either inherently temporary or subject to later 

amelioration should be clearly distinguished from those regarded as unavoidable 

and irreversible. Those effects that represent an irretrievable commitment of 

resources should receive detailed consideration in Section 5.6. 

The impacts of operation of the proposed activity should be, to the fullest 

extent practicable, quantified and systematically presented. In the discussion 

of each impact, the applicant should make clear whether the supporting evidence 

is based on theoretical, laboratory, onsite, or field studies undertaken on 

this or on previous occasions. The source of each impact (the plant subsystem, 

waste effluent) and the population or resource affected should be made clear 

in each case. The impacts should be distinguished in terms of their effects 

on surface water bodies, ground water, air, land, land use, ecological systems, 

and important plants and animals. 

Finally, the applicant should discuss the relationship between local short

term uses of the human environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long

term productivity. As used in this guide, "short-term" refers to the operating 

life of the proposed facility and "long-term" refers to time periods extending 

beyond this life. The applicant should assess the action for cumulative and 

projected long-term effects from the point of view that each generation is 

trustee of the environment for each succeeding generation. 

Principal parameters for the assessment of radiological impacts from 

proposed activities should be presented in the format of Appendix B. 

5.1 Radiological Impact on Biota Other Than Humans 

In this section the applicant should consider the impact on biota other 

than humans attributable to the release of radioactive or chemical materials 

from the facility. The biota to be considered are those species of local 

flora and local and migratory fauna defined as "important" in Section 2.9. 

Since the region may contain many important species, the applicant should 

concentrate any efforts on those important species whose terrestrial and 

aquatic habitats provide the highest potential for radiation exposure. 

5.1.1 Exposure Pathways 

The various possible pathways for radiation exposure of the important 

local flora and local and migratory fauna should be identified and described 

in textual and flow-chart format. The pathways should include the important

5-1
routes of radionuclide translocation (including food chains leading to important 

species) to organisms or sites. 

5.1.2 Effluents in the Environment 

In Sections 3.4 and 3.7, the radionuclide and chemical concentrations in 

the liquid and gaseous effluents discharged from the site are listed. In this 

section, the applicant should consider how these effluents are quantitatively 

distributed in the environment. Specifically, estimates should be provided 

for the concentration (a) in any water sources, (b) on land areas, and (c) on 

vegetation (on a per unit area basis) in the environs. 

If there are other components of the physical environment that may become 

contaminated and thus result in the exposure of living organisms to radiation, 

they should be identified and their radioactivity burden estimated. In addition, 

information concerning any cumulative buildup of radionuclides in the environ

ment should be presented and discussed. A summary of data, assumptions, and 

models used in determining radioactivity concentrations and burdens should be 

provided. 

From considerations of the exposure pathways and the distribution of 

radioactivity released into the environs, the applicant should estimate the 

maximum radionuclide concentrations that may be present in important local 

flora and local and migratory fauna. Values of bioaccumulation factors used 

in preparing the estimates should be based on site-specific data if available; 

otherwise, values from the literature may be used. The applicant should 

tabulate and reference the values of bioaccumulation factors used in the 

calculations. 

5.2 Radiological Impact on Humans 

In this section the applicant should consider the radiological effects of 

operations and transportation of radioactive materials on human beings. 

Estimates of the radiological impact on humans via various exposure pathways 

should be provided. 

5.2.1 Exposure Pathways 

The various possible pathways for radiation exposure of humans should be 

identified and described in textual and flow chart format. 

Discuss any exposure pathways, if they exist, involving radionuclide 

accumulation in specific components of the environment. 

5.2.2 Liquid Effluents 

Estimate the expected annual average concentrations of radioactive nuclides 

(listed in Sections 3.4 and 3.7) in receiving water at locations where water 

is consumed or otherwise used by human beings or where it is inhabited by biota 

of significance to human food chains. Specify the dilution factors used in 

preparing the estimates and the locations where the dilution factors are 

applicable. Consideration should be given to the absence of mixing and dilution 

because of factors such as channeling.

5-2
Determine the expected radionuclide concentrations in aquatic and 

terrestrial organisms significant to human food chains. Use the bioaccumulation 

factors given in Section 5.1.2 or supply others as necessary. 

Using the above information and any other necessary supporting data, 

calculate the total annual body and significant organ doses (millirems) to 

individuals in the population (discussed in Section 2.3) from all exposure 

pathways related to receiving water, i.e., all sources of internal and external 

exposure. Provide, as an appendix, details of the models and assumptions used 

in these calculations. 

5.2.3 Airborne Effluents 

From release rates of airborne radioactivity and meteorological data 

(Sections 3.4, 3.7, and 2.8), estimate total annual body and significant organ 

doses (millirems) to individuals exposed at the point of maximum ground-level 

concentrations offsite, individuals exposed at the site boundary in the 

direction of the prevailing wind, individuals exposed at the site boundary 

nearest to the sources of emission, and individuals exposed at the residence 

expected to receive the highest dose commitments. Assume annual average 

meteorological conditions. Identify locations of points of release (e.g., 

stacks, roof vents, tailings ponds and beach areas, and ore storage areas) 

used in calculations. 

Estimate deposition of radioactive materials on food crops and pasture 

grass and any bioaccumulation in the human food chain. Estimate total annual 

body doses (millirems) and significant annual doses received by other organs 

via such potential pathways. 

Provide an appendix describing the models used in these calculations. 

5.2.4 Direct Radiation 

The applicant should provide an estimate of the maximum annual external 

dose (millirems) that would be received by an individual at the nearest site 

boundary from direct radiation. Provide an appendix describing the models and 

assumptions used in these calculations. 

5.2.5 Summary of Annual Radiation Doses 

The applicant should provide estimates of the maximum annual doses 

(millirems) that could be received via all pathways by an individual at the 

site boundary and at the nearest residence. 

The applicant should also present a table that summarizes the estimated 

radiation dose to the regional population (within 80-km) from mill- and mine

related sources using values calculated in previous sections. The tabulation 

should include (a) the total annual doses (man-rems) to the population (discussed 

in Section 2.3) from all water-related pathways and (b) the total annual doses 

(man-rems) to the population attributable to airborne effluents. 

5.3 Chemical Impacts on Humans 

In this section, the specific concentrations of nonradioactive wastes in 

effluents at the points of discharge should be compared with natural ambient

5-3
concentrations without the discharge and also compared with applicable standards. 

The projected effects of the effluents for both acute and chronic exposure of 

human beings (including those resulting from any long-term buildup in soils 

and sediments and in the biota) should be identified and discussed. Dilution 

and mixing of discharges into the receiving environs should be discussed in 

detail, and estimates of concentrations at various relevant distances from the 

point of discharge should be provided that relate to factors such as dilution, 

habitations, wells, and water intakes. The effects on humans from changes in 

terrestrial and aquatic environments from chemicals that contaminate ground 

water should be included. 

5.4 Effects of Sanitary and Other Waste Discharges 

Describe and discuss the environmental impact associated with sanitary 

and other mill waste systems discussed in Section 3.6. 

5.5 Other Effects 

The applicant should discuss any effects of operation that do not clearly 

fall under any single topic of Sections 5.1 through 5.4. These may include 

changes in land and water use at the project site, interaction of the facility 

with other existing or projected neighboring facilities, effect of ground-water 

withdrawal on ground-water resources in the vicinity of the mine and mill, 

effects of construction and operation of roads, transmission corridors, and 

railroads, effects on fish and wildlife resource usage, effects of changes 

in surface-water availability on biotic populations, and disposal of solid and 

liquid wastes other than those already discussed. 

5.6 Resources Committed 

Any irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources resulting from 

mine and mill operation should be discussed. This discussion should include 

both direct commitments, such as depletion of uranium resources; irreversible 

environmental losses, such as destruction of wildlife habitat; and consumptive 

water use. 

In this discussion, the applicant should consider resources used from the 

viewpoints of both relative impacts and long-term net effects. As an example of relative impact assessment, the loss of a few animals of a given species 

could represent quite different degrees of significance, depending on the total 

population in the immediate region. Such a loss in the case of a small local 

population, however, could be less serious if the same species were abundant 

in neighboring regions. Similarly, land use that precludes other highly 

desirable land uses should be evaluated in terms of the total amount of such 

land in the environs. These relative assessments should accordingly include 

statements expressed in percentage terms (a) in which the amount of expected 

resource loss is related to the total resource in the immediate region and 

(b) in which the total resource in the immediate region is related to that 

resource in surrounding regions. The latter should be specified in terms of 

areas and distances from the site.

5-4
CHAPTER 6. EFFLUENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS 

AND MONITORING PROGRAMS 

The purpose of this chapter is to describe in detail the means by which 

the applicant collected the baseline data presented in other chapters and to 

describe the applicant's plans and programs for monitoring the impacts of the 

proposed activities on the environment.* 

Section 6.1 addresses the measurement of preexisting characteristics of 

the site and the surrounding region. This program should establish a reference 

framework for assessing subsequent environmental effects attributable to the 

proposed activity and for use as baseline reference data at the time of site 

decommissioning. 

The applicant's attention is directed to two considerations pertinent to 

Section 6.1. First, the term "preexisting" refers to the characteristics of 

the site prior to any mining-related activities. A given characteristic or 

parameter may or may not require assessment prior to site disturbance and mill 

construction, depending on whether that particular characteristic may be altered 

at these stages. Second, in most instances this guide indicates the specific 

environmental effects to be evaluated; consequently, the parameters to be 

measured will be apparent. In some cases, it may be advisable to establish a 

monitoring program based on the applicant's own identification of potential or 

possible effects and to provide the underlying rationale for such a program. 

Accordingly, the applicant should carefully review the plans for measurement 

of preexisting conditions to ensure that these plans include all factors that 

must be subsequently monitored as discussed in Section 6.2. 

Sampling design, frequency, methods (including calibration and checks with 

standards), and instrumentation for both collection and analysis should be 

discussed as applicable.** 

In all cases, the applicant should estimate the statistical validity of 

any proposed sampling program. Information should be provided on instrument 

accuracy, sensitivity, and (especially for highly automated systems) reliability. 

Where standard analytical or sampling techniques can be identified, they should 

be so identified and referenced. 

For quantitative descriptions of samples collected within areas and for 

periods of interest, descriptive statistics should include, unless justifiably 

omitted, the mean, standard deviation, standard error, and a confidence interval 

for the mean. In each case, the sample size should be clearly indicated. If 

diversity indices are used to describe a collection of organisms, the specific 

diversity indices used should be stated. 

See Regulatory Guide 4.14, "Radiological Effluent and Environmental Monitor

ing at Uranium Mills." 

See Regulatory Guide 4.15, "Quality Assurance for Radiological Monitoring 

Programs (Normal Operations) - Effluent Streams and the Environment."

6-1
6.1 Applicant's Preoperational Environmental Programs

The programs for collection of initial or baseline environmental data prior 

to submittal of the license application should be described in sufficient detail 

to make it clear that the applicant has established a thorough and comprehensive 

approach to environmental assessment. The description of these programs should 

be confined principally to technical descriptions of instrumentation, frequency 

and duration, technique, and procedures. 

Where information from the literature has been used by the applicant, it 

should be concisely summarized and documented by reference to original data 

sources. Where the availability of original sources that support important 

conclusions is limited, the applicant should provide either extensive quotations 

or references to accessible secondary sources.* In all cases, information 

derived from published results should be clearly distinguished from information 

derived from the applicant's field measurements. 

6.1.1 Surface Water 

If a body of surface water may be affected by the proposed activities, 

the applicant should describe the programs by which the background condition 

of the water and the related ecology were determined. If a natural water body 

has already been subjected to environmental stress from pollutant sources, the 

nature of this stress and its consequences should be evaluated. The applicant 

should estimate the potential quality of the affected water body. 

6.1.2 Ground Water 

In those cases in which the proposed activities may potentially affect 

quality or quantity of local ground water, the program leading to assessment 

of potential effects should be described. 

6.1.2.1 Physical and Chemical Parameters. The properties and configura

tion of the local aquifer will have been defined in sufficient detail (in 

Section 2.7) to permit a reasonable projection of effects of proposed activities 

on the ground water. Methods for obtaining information on ground-water levels 

and ground-water quality should be described. 

6.1.2.2 Models. Models may be used to predict such effects as changes 

in ground-water levels, dispersion of contaminants, and eventual transport 

through aquifers to surface water bodies and downgradient wells. The models 

should be described and supporting evidence for their reliability and validity 

presented. 

6.1.3 Air 

The applicant should describe the program and identify sources for obtain

ing information on local air quality and local and regional meteorology. 

Any reports of work (e.g., ecological surveys) supported by the applicant that 

are of significant value in assessing the environmental impact of the facility 

should be included as appendices or supplements to the environmental report 

unless these reports are otherwise generally available.

6-2
6.1.3.1 Meteorology. The applicant should identify sources of meteoro

logical data used in the atmospheric transport models and reported in 

Section 2.8. Locations and elevations of observation stations, instrumentation, 

and frequency and duration of measurements should be specified both for the 

applicant's measuring activities and for activities of governmental agencies 

or other organizations on whose information the applicant intends to rely. 

Guidance for an acceptable meteorological measurement program for nuclear 

reactors is presented in Regulatory Guide 1.23 (Safety Guide 23), "Onsite 

Meteorological Programs." See Appendix C for the format for reporting meteoro

logical data. The applicant's description should show the basis for predicting 

such effects as the dispersion of airborne effluents and should present the 

methodology for gathering baseline data. 

6.1.3.2 Models. Any models used by the applicant, either to derive 

estimates of basic meteorological information or to estimate the effects of 

effluents, should be described in detail and their validity and accuracy 

discussed. Staff guidance should be sought in adapting existing guidance 

to the particular effluents from uranium mines and mills.* 

6.1.4 Land 

Data collection and evaluation programs concerning the terrestrial environ

ment of the proposed mill shouldbe described and justified with regard to both 

scope and methodology. 

6.1.4.1 Geology and Soils. Those geological and soil studies designed 

to determine the environmental impact of the construction or operation of the 

mine/mill should be described. The description should include identification 

of the sampling pattern and the justification for its selection, the sampling 

method, holding periods, preanalysis treatment, and analytic techniques. Other 

geological and soil studies (e.g., those conducted in support of safety analyses) 

should be briefly summarized and reference made to the relevant reports for a 

more detailed presentation. 

6.1.4.2 Land Use and Demographic Surveys. The applicant should describe 

its program for identifying the actual land use in the site environs and for 

acquiring demographic data for the region as reported in Section 2.3. 

Sources of information should be identified. Methods used to forecast 

probable changes in land use and demographic trends should be described. 

6.1.4.3 Ecological Parameters. In this section, the applicant should 

discuss the program used to assess the ecological characteristics of the site, 

with primary reference to important biota identified in Section 2.9. 

For example, see Regulatory Guide 1.111, "Methods for Estimating Atmospheric 

Transport and Dispersion of Gaseous Effluents in Routine Releases from Light

Water-Cooled Reactors."

6-3
6.1.5 Radiological Surveys*

This section of the environmental report should discuss the methods used 

to determine the preoperational radiation levels at the site and environs and 

the concentrations of radionuclides in important local and regional biota, 

soil, sediment, vegetation, air, and surface and ground waters. 

6.2 Applicant's Proposed Operational Monitoring Programs 

The applicant should present the proposed operational monitoring program 

for planned operations. Review of this description will be facilitated if the 

applicant includes maps of proposed observation sites and tabular presentation 

of summary descriptors of such factors as sample collection and analysis frequency, type of sampling, method of collection, analytic method, preanalysis 

treatment, instrumentation, and minimum sensitivities. The discussion should 

include the justification for the choice of sampling sites, analyses, and 

sampling frequencies. The program description should be explicit with respect 

to the parameter limits that are not to be exceeded under normal operating conditions and with regard to the actions planned in the event the limits are 

exceeded. 

6.2.1 Radiological Monitoring* 

The applicant's operational monitoring program for radiological effects 

should be described both for the mine and mill effluent monitoring program and 

for the environmental monitoring program. 

6.2.1.1 Mill Effluent Monitoring. Describe the proposed effluent 

monitoring program for liquid and airborne effluents. Discuss the sensitivity 

limits for detecting radioactivity corresponding to routinely expected release 

rates. List the effluent streams, if any, that will not be monitored and 

provide a brief rationale for the absence of monitoring. Also, provide criteria 

for setting threshold levels for corrective action and describe the actions to 

be taken if these levels are exceeded. 

6.2.1.2 Environmental Radiological Monitoring. The operational monitoring 

program should be described in detail, with specific attention given to the 

organisms and other types of samples to be collected, sampling locations and 

frequency, the analyses to be performed on each sample, the analytical 

sensitivity (detection threshold) for each analysis, and the criteria for 

investigating increases of concentration of material detected in the environs. 

6.2.2 Chemical Effluent Monitoring 

The proposed measurement program, including instrumentation, locations, 

frequencies, and analytical techniques, should be fully described. The descrip

tion of the program should include instrumentation sensitivity and reliability. 

Monitoring procedures prescribed by local, State, or Federal agencies as 

conditions placed on operation should be so identified. 

Regulatory Guide 4.14 should be reviewed in connection with this section.

6-4
The criteria for setting threshold levels for corrective action should be 

presented. In the case of prescribed quantitative standards set by agencies, 

the applicable regulation should be cited. In the case of quantitative limits 

set by the applicant to conform to qualitative standards or restrictions, the 

applicant's rationale should be presented. In either case, if measurements 

exceed thresholds, the action to be taken should be specified. 

6.2.3 Meteorological Monitoring 

The applicant's program for monitoring meteorological phenomena should be 

described. 

6.2.4 Ecological Monitoring 

In the preoperational surveillance program, the applicant will have 

established methodology for determining the ecological characteristics of the 

region. The applicant should describe any additional ecological monitoring to 

be conducted during plant operation. 

6.3 Related Environmental Measurement and Monitoring Programs 

When the applicant's site lies within a region for which environmental 

measurement or monitoring programs are carried out by public agencies or other 

agencies or groups not directly supported by the applicant, any such related 

programs known to the applicant should be identified and discussed. Relevance 

of such independent findings to the proposed facility's effects should be 

described, and plans for exchange of information, if any, should be presented. 

Agencies responsible for the programs should be identified, and, to the extent 

possible, the procedures and methodology employed should be briefly described.

6-5
CHAPTER 7. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF ACCIDENTS

The applicant should discuss the environmental effects of possible accidents 

that may occur at the mill and during transportation of materials to and from 

the mill, whether or not those accidents may produce an impact on the site or 

its environs. Analyses should be based on relevant experience and statistics 

from operation of similar milling and transportation operations. The statistical 

validity of the data should be discussed as well as the rationale for applying 

the data to the applicant's proposed operation. Accidents caused by both humans 

and natural phenomena should be addressed. 

7.1 Mill Accidents Involving Radioactivity 

The applicant should provide accident analyses for a spectrum of accidents 

that might occur ranging in severity from trivial (essentially no release of 

radioactivity to the environment) to very large releases. Each class within 

the spectrum should be characterized by an occurrence rate or probability and 

its potential consequences, if any. Examples of accidents resulting in large 

releases would be a tornado striking the mill or the failure of a waste 

retention system resulting from an act of nature or improper operation. 

Examples of accidents resulting in small releases would be a fire or explosion 

in a solvent extraction circuit or failure of the air cleaning system serving 

the yellowcake area during operation. An example of a trivial accident would 

be the malfunction of mill process equipment or the rupture of a vessel 

containing mill solutions. 

7.2 Transportation Accidents 

The potential environmental effects from transportation accidents involving 

radioactive and other hazardous materials should be evaluated. Even though 

the probability of such an accident may be low and its consequences small, the 

applicant should identify the environmental effects that might result. Adequate 

documentation should be presented to provide assurance that all safety require

ments will be met prior to transportation of hazardous materials (e.g., spillage 

of hazardous chemicals, ores, fuels, yellow cake, sulfuric acid). 

7.3 Other Accidents 

In addition to accidents that can release radioactivity to the environs, 

there may be accidents that, although radioactive materials are not involved, 

do have consequences that affect the environment. Such accidents as chemical 

explosions or fires, steam boiler failures, and leakage or rupture of vessels 

containing toxic materials can have significant environmental impacts. These 

possible accidents and associated effects should be identified and evaluated.

7-1
CHAPTER 8. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF MILL 

CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION 

The purpose of this chapter is to provide guidance on the information 

needed to assess the economic and social effects of the proposed facility. 

There are, of course, limitations on the extent to which all the social and 

economic benefits and costs of a uranium milling project can be evaluated. 

The wide variety of benefits and costs are not only difficult to assess, but 

many are not amenable to quantification or even to estimation in comparable 

units. Some primary benefits such as the quantity of uranium recovered are, 

to a degree, measurable as are the capital costs and operating and maintenance 

costs of the proposed facility. On the other hand, numerous environmental 

costs and their economic and social consequences are not readily quantified. 

8.1 Benefits 

The primary benefits of the proposed nuclear facility are those inherent 

in the value of the uranium to be recovered and the kilowatt-hours of electricity 

that may be produced from it. 

There are other social and economic benefits that affect various political 

jurisdictions or interests to a greater or lesser degree. Some of these reflect 

transfer payments or other values that may partially, if not fully, compensate 

for certain services as well as external or environmental costs, and this fact 

should be reflected in the designation of the benefit. The following are some 

examples: 

"• Tax revenues to be received by local, State, and Federal governments. 

" Temporary and permanent new jobs created and payroll (value-added concept). 

" Incremental increase in regional product. 

" Enhancement of recreational values. 

"* Environmental enhancement in support of the propagation or protection of 

wildlife and the improvement of wildlife habitats. 

"• Creation and improvement of local roads, waterways, or other transportation 

facilities. 

" Increased knowledge of the environment as a consequence of ecological 

research and environmental monitoring activities associated with plant 

operation and technological improvements from the applicant's research 

program. 

The applicant should discuss significant benefits that may be realized 

from the construction and operation of the proposed mill. Where the benefits 

can be expressed in monetary terms, they should be discounted to present value. 

In each instance where a particular benefit is discussed, the applicant should

8-1
indicate, to the extent practical, who is likely to be affected and for how 

long. In the case of esthetic impacts that are difficult to quantify, the 

applicant should provide pictorial drawings of structures or environmental 

modifications visible to the public (refer to Section 3.2). 

8.2 Costs 

The economic and social costs resulting from the proposed nuclear facility 

and its milling project are also complex and should be appraised. 

The primary internal costs are (1) the capital costs of land acquisition 

and improvement, (2) the capital costs of facility construction, (3) other 

operating and maintenance costs, including license fees and taxes, (4) plant 

decommissioning, tailings stabilization, and site reclamation costs, and 

(5) research and development costs associated with potential future improve

ments of the mill and its operation and maintenance. As in the case of benefits, 

the applicant should discount these costs to present value. 

There are also external costs. Their effects on the interests of people 

need to be examined. The applicant should supply, as applicable, an evaluation 

plus supporting data and rationale regarding such external social and economic 

costs. For each cost, the applicant should describe the probable number and 

location of the population group adversely affected, the estimated economic 

and social impact, and any special measures to be taken to alleviate the impact. 

Temporary external costs include shortages of housing; inflationary rentals 

or prices; congestion of local streets and highways; noise and temporary esthetic 

disturbances; overloading of water supply and sewage treatment facilities; 

crowding of local schools, hospitals, or other public facilities; overtaxing 

of community services; and disruption of people's lives or the local community 

caused by acquisition of land for the proposed site. 

Long-term external costs include impairment of recreational values (e.g., 

reduced availability of desired species of wildlife and sport animals, restric

tions on access to land or water areas preferred for recreational use); 

deterioration of esthetic and scenic values; restrictions on access to areas 

of scenic, historic, or cultural interest; degradation of areas having historic, 

cultural, natural, or archeological value; removal of land from present or 

contemplated alternative uses; reduction of regional products because of 

displacement of persons from the land proposed for the site; lost income from 

recreation or tourism that may be impaired by environmental disturbances; lost 

income attributable to environmental degradation; decrease in real estate values 

in areas adjacent to the proposed facility; increased costs to local governments 

for the services required by the permanently employed workers and their families. 

In discussing the costs, the applicant should indicate, to the extent practical, 

who is likely to be affected and for how long.

8-2
CHAPTER 9. DECOMMISSIONING AND RECLAMATION

The applicant should describe in depth its plans for mill decommissioning 

and site reclamation. 

Detailed discussions should be provided for the following: 

1. Plans for reclaiming and restoring lands disturbed by mining and mill

ing activities. These plans should provide sufficient details for the staff 

to assess the suitability of these plans when compared to other alternatives 

(e.g., horizontal-vertical slope, type of cover, sources and thicknesses of 

cover materials, revegetation species, schedule of events from shutdown 

through final reclamation). 

2. A technical and financial feasibility assessment on methods and 

costs of mill decommissioning and site reclamation, including tailings area. 

3. Financial arrangements to be made (such as bonding arrangements) to 

ensure that adequate funds will be available for mill decommissioning, site 

reclamation, and restoration when operations are concluded.

9-1
CHAPTER 10. ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTION

in this chapter of the environmental report, the applicant's choice of a 

particular mill at a particular site and the location of project structures on 

the site should be supported through a comparative evaluation of available 

alternatives. To the extent possible, the applicant should discuss all 

parameters for the available alternatives. The NRC will consider all available 

alternatives that may reduce or avoid adverse environmental, social, and economic 

effects expected to result from construction and operation of the proposed 

milling and mining project. The NRC will not specify in advance which alter

natives should be selected by the applicant for consideration. The applicant 

should make this selection and also make clear the basis and rationale for the 

choices in regard to number, availability, suitability, and factors limiting 

the range of alternatives that might avoid some or all of the environmental 

effects previously identified. Particular attention should be placed on the 

relationship between tailings management alternatives and mill site and process 

alternatives. 

In the discussion of tailings management alternatives, consideration should 

be given to the following siting, design, and operation performance objectives 

developed by the staff in addition to the technical criteria listed in Chapter 9: 

1. Locate the tailings isolation area remote from people to reduce 

population exposures to the maximum extent reasonably achievable.* 

2. Locate the tailings isolation area so that disruption and dispersion 

by natural forces is eliminated or reduced to the maximum extent reasonably 

achievable. See the EPA reference in the footnote below for additional guidance. 

3. Design the isolation area so that seepage of toxic materials into 

the ground-water system would be eliminated or reduced to the maximum extent 

reasonably achievable. 

4. Eliminate the blowing of tailings to unrestricted areas during normal 

operating conditions and prior to final reclamation. 

See Environmental Protection Agency, "Criteria for Radioactive Waste," 

November 15, 1978, Federal Register (Part IX, 6560-01-M), Vol. 43, No. 221, 

p. 53267: Issue No. 5, Location and Waste Isolation.

10-1
CHAPTER 11. BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS

In this chapter the applicant's benefit-cost statement should be presented. 

The presentation should be made in the form of a narrative with accompanying 

tables and charts. It should make clear what the applicant considers to be 

the important benefits and costs of the proposed facility and why, in the 

judgment of the applicant, the former outweigh the latter. 

The applicant should develop criteria for assessing and comparing benefits 

and costs where these are expressed in nonmonetary or qualitative terms. The 

rationales for the selection among mill-site alternatives, as well as among 

subsystem alternatives, should be presented. In any case, the applicant should 

carefully describe any aggregation of effects and discuss in detail the trade

offs that were made in order to justify the proposed operation. If any of the 

benefits or costs are deleted from the applicant's analysis, the rationale for 

doing so should be explained. The applicant should key all the terms used in 

the benefit-cost analysis to the relevant sections of the environmental report.

11-1
CHAPTER 12. ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS AND CONSULTATIONS

List all licenses, permits, and other approvals of construction and opera

tions required by Federal, State, local, and regional authorities authorized 

to develop and enforce relevant standards for the protection of the environ

ment.* List those Federal and State approvals that have already been received 

and indicate the status of matters regarding approvals yet to be obtained. 

For general background, submit similar information regarding approvals, licenses, 

and contacts with local authorities including any affected Indian tribes. 

Discuss the status of efforts to obtain a water quality certification 

under Section 401 and discharge permits under Section 402 of the Federal Water 

Pollution Control Act, as amended. If not already obtained, indicate when 

certification is expected. If certification is not required, explain. 

In view of the effects of the plant on the economic development of the 

region in which it is located, the applicant should also note the State, local, 

and regional planning authorities contacted or consulted. Office of Management 

and Budget Circular A-95** identifies the State, metropolitan, and regional 

clearinghouse that should be contacted, as appropriate. 

Cite meetings held with any Federal, State, or local agency or Indian 

tribe authorized to develop or enforce relevant environmental standards. Also 

include any meetings or contacts with environmental and other citizen groups 

and Indian tribes and cite specific instances of the applicant's compliance 

with or rejection of the recommendations of these groups. Citation should 

also be given of efforts to locate such agencies or groups and to inform them 

of the possibilities and procedures for participating further in the environ

mental review process. 

This list should be updated semiannually until final licensing action is 

taken by the NRC. 

Inquiries concerning this circular may be addressed to the Office of Management 

and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503.

12-1
CHAPTER 13. REFERENCES 

The applicant should provide a bibliography of all sources used in prepara

tion of the environmental report. References cited should be keyed to the 

specific sections and page numbers to which they apply.

13-1
APPENDIX A 

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION DATA 

The population distribution should be given in the following manner: 

• Sectors are marked off by the sixteen compass directions and radial 

distances along the compass directions up to 80 km (50 miles). 

* The distances (km) should be broken up as indicated on the following 

page.

A-i
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

COMPASS N NNE NE ENE E ESE SE SSE S SSW SW WSW W WNW NW NNW 

DIRECTIONS 0.0 22.5 45.0 67.5 90.0 112.5 135.0 157.5 180.0 202.5 225.0 247.5 270.0 292.5 315.0 337.5 

KILOMETERS 

1.0 - 2.0 

2.0 - 3.0 

3.0 - 4.0 

4.0 - 5.0 

5.0 - 10.0 

10.0 - 20.0 

20.0 - 30.0 

30.0 - 40.0 

40.0 - 50.0 

50.0 - 60.0 

60.0 - 70.0

70.0 - 80.0
APPENDIX B 

PRINCIPAL PARAMETERS FOR RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 

Parameter Value

Ore quality, U20 8 

Ore activity, U-238, U-234, Th-230, Ra-226, 

and Pb-210 

Operating days per year (plant factor) 

Ore process rate 

Mill water throughput 

Annual average morning mixing height 

Annual average afternoon mixing height 

Ore Handling and Storage 

Estimated capacity of ore per delivery 

Number of deliveries 

Estimated ore dust released in delivery 

Average grade of ore and ranges 

Capacity of ore pad:. 

final year of operation 

average during operation 

Maximum area of ore pad and height 

of ore storage pile 

Approximate amount of ore handled per day 

i.e., unloaded, loaded, bulldozed, etc. 

Operation time of front-end loaders, hoppers, 

feeders, and other ore pad equipment 

Estimated amount of fugitive ore dust 

emission from handling of ore on ore pad

pCi/g 

days 

tonnes/yr 

m3 /yr 

m 

m

MT 

-per day/ 

per week 

kg/hr or 

MT/yr

MT 

MT 

m2 , m 

MT/day 

hr/day 

MT/yr

B-1
Dust emission control reduction factor 

by wetting, chemical, or other controls 

Ore storage time 

Crushers, Grinders, Rod Mills, Fine Ore Blend

ing, Solvent Extraction Countercurrent Decanta

tion, Ion Exchange, and Leaching 

For each piece of potential radioactive 

emission source equipment, report the 

following:* 

Operation time 

Estimated dust lost to atmosphere 

Estimated radon released to atmosphere 

Efficiency of emission control devices 

(effective and design) 

Estimated dust lost to atmosphere through 

internal ore transportation devices 

(e.g., conveyor belts) 

Efficiency of emission controls of internal 

ore transportation devices (effective and 

design) 

Average daily capacity of temporary bin 

storage (fine ore bins) 

Efficiency of controls for temporary 

bin storage 

Yellowcake Drying and Packaging (based on last 

year of operation) 

(Give parameter values for drying and packaging) 

Processing rates

Operation time

days

hr/day and 

days/yr 

MT/yr

Ci/yr

MT/yr

MT/d

Drying days/yr and 

hr/day 

Packaging days/yr and 

hr/day 

Drying days/yr and 

hr/day 

Packaging days/yr and 

hr/day

Efficiency of control of U3 0 8 dust released 

to atmosphere (design and effective) Drying_ % 

Packaging %

If change or expansion of the process is planned, provide approximate 

values as necessary.

B-2
Estimated U308 dust released to atmosphere 

Stack height(s) 

Recovery rate of U30 8 

Yellowcake yield 

Yellowcake quality, U3 08 

Heap Leach Piles(if applicable) 

Dimensions (height, width, length) 

Volume 

Capacity 

Pile activity for U-238, Th-230, Ra-226, 

and Pb-210 

Fugitive dust emissions 

Control efficiencies for dusting 

Solid and Liquid Disposal Impoundments 

(Tailings, evaporation, and settling ponds) 

Area, volume, capacity of sand tailings 

Area, volume, capacity of slime tailings 

Area, volume, capacity of submerged tailings 

If different grades of ore are used or if a 

time-dependent scenario is planned, indicate 

the following for each change: 

Area, volume, capacity of sand tailings 

Area, volume, capacity of slime tailings 

Area, volume, capacity of submerged tailings 

Operating time for impoundment area 

Fraction of U-238, Th-230, Ra-226, Pb-210 

to tailings for each particular ore grade, 

if applicable

Drying MT/yr 

Packaging MT/yr 

Drying m 

Packaging m 

tonnes/yr

m, m, m 

iM3 

MT

pCi/g 

MT/yr

_km 2, m-3 , MT 

km2, ma, MT 

_km 2 , m3 , MT 

_km2, m3

s, MT 

km2 , Mi3 , MT 

km2 , mi3 , MT 

Attach graph and tables

B-3
Tailings density 

Drying time prior to reclamation 

Efficiency of controls for fugitive dusting 

(wetting, chemical, etc.) 

Activity, U, Ra-226, Th-230, and 

Pb-210 in slimes 

Activity, U, Ra-226, Th-230, and 

Pb-210 in sand 

Activity, U, Ra-226, Th-230, and 

Pb-210 in solution 

Total tailings area 

Tailings pond (solution) area 

Tailings solids area 

Tailings impoundment depth 

Seepage rate from tailings impoundment

Land Use and Grazing of Cattle 

Fraction of year spent grazing locally _ 

Fraction of feed that is pasture graze 

while grazing _ 

Fraction of stored feed that is grown locally _ 

Acreage required to graze one animal unit 

(450 kg) for one month (AUM) 

Length of growing season 

Fraction of local consumption of locally 

produced: 

vegetables 

meat 

milk 

Locations of Sources and Receptors 

All locations should be given in terms of: 

x kilometers east of the yellowcake dryer stack 

y kilometers north of the yellowcake dryer stack 

z meters elevation from the base of the yellowcake dryer stack 

(Denote locations to the south and/or west by a negative value.)

B-4

ha 

months/yr 

0

.g/cm3 

yrs 

pCi/g 

pCi/g 

pCi/l 

im

2 

m2 

-m2 

QIDm
EXAMPLE: 

Sources (km) east (km) north (m) elevation 

1. Yellowcake dryer 0 0 -

2. Grinder(s) --... 

3. Crushers ...... 

4. Rod mill 

5. Ore pad 

6. Fine ore blending -- -- -

7. Tailings pond no. 1 (midpoint) ...... 

8. Tailings pond no. 2 (midpoint) ...... 

9. Heap leach pile 

10. Other sources (stacks, vents, etc.) ...... 

Extra Receptors 

1. Nearest resident 

2. Nearest resident in prevailing 

wind direction ...... 

3. Ranch 

4. Farm 

5. Orchard ...... 

6. Grazing location 1 ...... 

7. Grazing location 2 ...... 

4. Garden ...... 

5. Ranger bunk house ...... 

6. Mine camp ...... 

7. Town 1 

8. Town 2 

9. City 1 

10. Other nearby residents (industrial 

or recreational facilities) -

11. Restricted area boundaries (N, 

S, E, W, NE, SW, SE, NW) --

B-5
APPENDIX C 

METEOROLOGICAL DATA 

Annual Joint Relative Frequency Distributions of Wind Direction and Wind 

Speed by Atmospheric Stability Class 

Wind Direction is given in the 16 compass directions. 

Wind Speed is given in knots in the indicated classes: 

0-3, 4-6, 7-10, 11-16, 17-21, >21 

Atmospheric Stability is given in the following manner: 

A - Extremely unstable 

B - Moderately unstable 

C - Slightly unstable 

D ; Neutral 

E - Moderately stable 

F - Very stable 

The following table should be prepared for each of these stability classes. I

C-1
Wind Direction 0- 3

STABILITY CLASS 

Windspeed Class (knots) 

4 - 6 7 - 10

N 

NNE 

NE 

ENE 

E 

ESE 

SE 

SSE 

S 

SSW 

SW 

WSW 

W 

WNW 

NW 

NNW

11 - 16 17 - 21 OVER 21
UNITED STATES 

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555

FIRST-CLASS MAIL 

POSTAGE & FEES PAID 

USNRC 

WASH. D. C. 

PERMIT'No. S-IL

OFFICIAL BUSINESS 

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300