Document: NUREG-1555
Document ID: 5dfd9baa-1db9-4ea5-b908-aecd5e0be326
Document Type: esrp
Title: WATER-USE IMPACTS
Source: NUREG-1555
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1555/initial/
Revision Date: 2007-10
Chapter: 5
Section ID: 5.2.2
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CFR Title: 

Content:
n of the magnitude of the environmental impacts in striking an overall benefit-cost balance. When no such assessment of aquatic impacts is available from the permitting authority, the NRC (possibly in conjunction with the permitting authority and other agencies having relevant expertise) will establish its own impact determination. ` In Jefferson County PUD #1 vs. Department of Ecology (U.S. Supreme Court Case), the U.S. Supreme Court granted the States additional authority to limit hydrological alterations beyond the States’ role in regulating water rights. As a result of this ruling, the States may regulate the quantity of water as a part of the definition of water quality. ` Regulatory Guide 4.2, Rev. 2, Preparation of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Power Stations (NRC 1976), contains guidance on the format and content of ERs including hydrology, water-use, and water-quality issues. Technical Rationale The technical rationale for evaluating the applicant’s potential water-use impacts is discussed in the following paragraph: A detailed and thorough description of the water use during plant operations is essential for the evaluation of potential impacts to the environment that may result from plant construction or operation. Because water quality and water supply are interdependent, changes in water quality must be considered simultaneously with possible changes in water supply. III. REVIEW PROCEDURES NUREG-1555 5.2.2-6 October 1999 The review conducted with this plan should be directed toward accomplishing the following objectives: (1) public disclosure of major direct water-use consequences of plant operation, (2) presentation of the basis for the staff analysis, and (3) presentation of staff evaluations, conclusions, and conditions regarding water use. The reviewer should coordinate this input with the reviewer of ESRP 5.2.1 to avoid duplication. The reviewer’s analysis of operational impacts on water use should be linked to the environmental