Document: NUREG-1555
Document ID: e569e961-f78c-49bc-a431-63f96ad2baed
Document Type: esrp
Title: WATER USE
Source: NUREG-1555
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1555/initial/
Revision Date: 2007-10
Chapter: 2
Section ID: 2.3.2
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CFR Title: 

Content:
r and does not negate the requirement for NRC to weigh the environmental impacts of the proposed action, including any degradation of water quality, and to consider alternatives to the proposed action that are available for reducing the adverse impacts. If an environmental assessment of aquatic impacts is available from the permitting authority, the NRC will consider the assessment in its determination 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) should establish its own impact determination. ` Because water quality and water supply are interdependent, changes in water quality must be considered simultaneously with changes in water supply. In Jefferson County PUD #1 vs. Department of Ecology (U.S. Supreme Court Case), the United States Supreme Court granted the States additional authority to limit hydrological alterations beyond the State’s role in regulating water rights. ` 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 description of surface-water and groundwater uses that could affect or be affected by construction or operation is discussed in the following paragraph: October 1999 2.3.2-5 NUREG-1555 A detailed and thorough description of the regional and plant water use is essential for the evaluation of potential impacts on the environment that may result from plant construction or operation. This NUREG-1555 2.3.2-6 October 1999 ESRP reviews the key water-use background material that is essential for understanding the impacts on water use, water quality, land use, ecological