Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: a094549d-8685-4dad-b90f-c28c7d279a53
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Geologic and Geotechnical Site Characterization Investigations for Nuclear Power Plants + HISTORY – HISTORY 08/2021 – DG-1392 , Proposed Revision 3 07/2014 – Periodic Review of Revision 2 – Reviewed with no issues identified 02/2001 – DG-1101 , Proposed Revision 2 (Rev. 3)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2119/ML21194A176.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-05
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.132
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
site investigation process is to acquire and evaluate existing data related to geologic characteristics and engineering properties of the site. Information about regional geology should be considered to assist with understanding rock and soil properties of the site in the proper regional context. Reconnaissance-level investigations can start with review of published reports, data, and existing maps illustrating topography, geology, hydrology, previous land use and construction, and infrastructure. Study of aerial photographs, satellite imagery, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) surveys, and other remote sensing imagery can be used to complement this information. If available, regional strain rates measured using the Global Positioning System (GPS) (Ref. 18) should be collected to correlate with strain rates obtained from geologic data and other data sets. Possible sources of current and historical documentary information could include the following: • geology and engineering departments of State and local universities; • county governments, many of which have GIS data of various kinds available; • State government agencies, such as State geological surveys; • U.S. government agencies, such as the U.S. Geological Survey, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; • newspaper records of earthquakes, floods, landslides, and other natural events of significance; • interviews with local inhabitants and knowledgeable professionals; and • reputable and relevant online documents. Appendix B to this guide lists additional potential sources for maps, imagery, and other pertinent geologic data. For license applications for a site near an existing nuclear power plant with a similar geologic setting, documents related to the site investigation for the existing plant could provide valuable information. Plans held by utilities should be consulted to locate services such as water, gas, electric, and DG-1392, Page 11 communication lines.