Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 2654196f-c25a-40d1-8edc-e828353b6377
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Standard Format and Content of Environmental Reports for Near-Surface Disposal of Radioactive Waste + HISTORY - HISTORY 04/1982 – Draft WM 013-4
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1218/ML12187A698.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.18
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
stress reduces the diversity and variety of individual choice, the standard of living, or the extent of sharing of life's amenities; or if the change or stress tends to lower the quality of renewable resources or to impair the recycling of depletable resources. In the discussion of adverse environmental effects, it should be made clear which of these are considered unavoidable and subject to later amelioration and which are regarded as unavoidable and irreversible. Those effects that represent an irretrievable commitment of resources should receive detailed con- sideration. (In the context of this discussion, "irretrievable commitment of resources" alludes to natural resources and means a permanent impairment of these, e.g., loss of wildlife habitat; destruction of nesting, breeding, or nursing areas; interference with migratory routes; loss of valuable or estheti- cally treasured natural areas; expenditure of directly utilized resources.) Sufficient data should be provided to allow an independent analysis of the effects of a disposal facility on the environment. Also discuss the relationship between local short-term uses of man's environ- ment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity. As used in this guide, "short term" refers to the operating life of the proposed facility, and "long term" refers to time periods extending beyond this life. Assess the action for cumulative and projected long-term effects from the point of view that each generation is trustee of the environment for each succeeding generation. 4.1 Long-Term Environmental Effects In this section, discuss the long-term effects of the facility on the environment. Effects are considered long term if environmental change occurs after site closure, e.g., the effects of long-term land commitment or possible radionuclide migration from the facility. 15 With regard to the long-term effect of radionuclide migration on the safety of the populace, it should be noted that § 61.41 of 10 CFR