Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 239cc7c1-f2cb-46cc-945d-8009db28aa6c
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: General Site Suitability Criteria for Nuclear Power Stations + HISTORY - HISTORY 12/2023 – DG-4034 , Proposed Revision 4 12/2011 – DG-4021 , Proposed Revision 3 02/1995 – DG-4004, Second Proposed Revision 2 11/1992 – DG-4003, Proposed Revision 2 (Rev. 4)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2312/ML23123A090.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-10
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.7
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
Power Plants: Environmental Standard Review Plan.” 3.3 Considerations, Regulatory Experience, and Staff Position The LWA process allows applicants to request approval to perform certain construction activities before the issuance of a COL. The regulations in 10 CFR 50.10 govern the issuance of LWAs and specify the information to be included in an LWA application. The regulations clarify that activities defined as “construction” are those that fall within the NRC’s regulatory authority, and they require an LWA because they have a reasonable nexus to radiological health and safety or the common defense and security. Activities not considered “construction” may be performed without an NRC licensing action. Activities not within the definition of “construction” include (1) preparation of a site for construction (clearing, grading, installation of environmental mitigation measures, and construction of temporary roads and borrow areas), (2) excavation, (3) erection of support buildings, and (4) building of service facilities (paved roads, parking lots, railroad spurs, sewage treatment facilities, and transmission lines). DG-4034, Page 50 The activities above are not under the NRC’s regulatory jurisdiction and are evaluated as part of a cumulative impact analysis. Cumulative impact is the impact on the environment that results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions, regardless of which agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impact can result from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time. (This definition of cumulative impact appears in the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality implementing NEPA (40 CFR 1508.7). NRC regulations state that the agency will use the definitions in 40 CFR 1508.7 in implementing NEPA (10 CFR 51.14(b)).). The resource areas to be evaluated for