Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: f0baf50b-5bb7-4783-b2f9-9586e09c97e1
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Preparation of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Power Stations + HISTORY - HISTORY 02/2017 – DG-4026 , Proposed Revision 3 09/2014 – Periodic Review of Revision 2 – Revise (Rev. 3)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1611/ML16116A068.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.2
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1996 (MSA) (Ref. B4) ensures that renewable fishery resources are not exhausted by overharvesting or other environmental damage. Section 305 of the MSA (16 U.S.C. 1855) requires Federal agencies to consult with the Secretary of Commerce through NMFS before authorizing any action which may adversely affect essential fish habitat (EFH) identified under MSA. The Fishery Management Councils, in conjunction with NMFS, designate EFH, which can consist of both the water column and the seafloor of an aquatic area needed to support one or more life stages of a managed fish species. The NRC will typically initiate such EFH consultations in conjunction with its NEPA review and document the status or outcome of the EFH consultation in the EA or EIS. If no change to any aspect of aquatic resources is anticipated, then an evaluation of EFH should not be necessary. However, if a change to any aspect of aquatic resources is anticipated, then the NRC staff should determine if the requested action will result in any adverse effects to designated EFH, and if so, contact NMFS to initiate EFH consultation. The consultation process for an environmental review requiring an EFH assessment can be found in “Essential Fish Habitat Consultation Guidance,” Version 1.1 (Ref. B5). B.3 National Historic Preservation Act The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA) (Ref. B6), was promulgated to coordinate public and private efforts to preserve significant historic and cultural resources. Section 106 of the NHPA directs Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their “undertakings” on historic properties and allow the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) an opportunity to review and comment on the undertaking. The ACHP is an independent Federal agency charged with implementing Section 106 throughout the Federal government; NHPA Section 106 implementing regulations are at 36 CFR Part 800,