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
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CFR Title: 

Content:
habitats from being threatened or destroyed. If an action has the potential to affect any endangered or threatened species or critical habitat, NRC must consult with the Secretary of the Interior (for freshwater and terrestrial species through the FWS) or the Secretary of Commerce (for marine and anadromous species through the NMFS). In general, the NRC consults with the FWS or NMFS (commonly referred to as “the Services”) for all major Federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) that require the preparation of an EIS. The Services joint regulations implementing the ESA at 50 CFR Part 402 (Ref. B2) allow for two types of consultations: informal and formal. Informal consultation is a less structured approach than formal consultation and may include phone calls, e-mail, letters, and meetings between the NRC and the Services. Informal consultation is typically initiated early in the application review process and may be the only type of consultation needed if the Services concur with the NRC that a proposed action is “not likely to adversely affect” listed species or critical habitat. The formal consultation process is a more structured approach to meeting ESA Section 7 requirements. Formal consultation is needed if the NRC determines that a proposed action “may adversely affect” listed species or the action will result in adverse modification of designated critical habitat. Formal consultation may also be required if the Services do not concur with the NRC’s conclusion that the action is “not likely to adversely affect” listed resources. Consultation is not required should the applicant and NRC conclude that the licensed action would have “no effect” on any threatened or endangered species or critical habitat; however, NRC typically chooses to seek Services concurrence on all but the most obvious “no effect” conclusions. As a result of consultation, the Services may issue a Biological Opinion, a