Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: e5306f4f-dc8c-4f60-a71c-af7ad4080384
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Aquatic Environmental Studies for Nuclear Power Stations + HISTORY - HISTORY 12/2014 – DG-4023 -Proposed New Guide
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1318/ML13186A085.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.24
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
0, 10 CFR Part 51, 10 CFR Part 52, and 10 CFR Part 54 that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved under OMB control number 3150-0011, 3150-0021, 3150-0151, and 3150-0155, respectively. The NRC may neither conduct nor sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection request or requirement unless the requesting document displays a currently valid OMB control number. B. DISCUSSION Reason for Issuance This is the initial issuance of RG 4.23. It is being issued to provide NRC guidance for aquatic environmental studies for nuclear power plants. Background The NRC is issuing this guide to describe objectives and suggested topics for inclusion in aquatic analyses, in support of applications to build or operate a nuclear power station, as well as license renewal and power uprate applications. Guidance is also provided in support of aquatic issues for site selection for construction permits, combined licenses, and early site permits. The guide defines general objectives for aquatic analyses but does not provide stepwise instructions or technical protocols. Aquatic analyses are used in nuclear power station siting, baseline investigations, identification of important species and habitats, impact analyses, monitoring, and decommissioning. Analysts using this RG should apply professional judgment when identifying analytical methods appropriate to each decision and collecting associated data. In doing so, they should justify the methods they select. Analysts should consult with authorities, including universities and representatives of appropriate local, state, and federal agencies, on aquatic resources for any given location. Aquatic Siting Support Aquatic ecology is one of multiple technical disciplines involved in the site selection (screening) process required to license (or issue an authorization or permit for) a new nuclear power plant (under 10 CFR Part 50 or 10 CFR Part 52). The discussion of site selection procedures in this RG