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:
sessments are not practicable. Often best management practices are relied upon instead of monitoring programs if no species or habitats warrant intensive monitoring. However, at the request of NMFS or FWS, NRC does require targeted surveys for federally threatened or endangered species. Aquatic Environmental Monitoring Federal, state, and local environmental permits; Biological Opinions issued under the ESA; and other federal and state regulations that protect rare species provide most aquatic environmental monitoring requirements. NMFS or FWS (collectively referred to as “the Services”) issues Biological Opinions that will contain Terms and Conditions that may call for the monitoring of areas containing threatened or endangered species or the evaluation of the success of mitigation actions to relocate or protect those species. The Services or other agencies issuing permits may outline specific monitoring and reporting protocols. If not, the NRC recommends contacting the Services or other responsible permitting agencies for individualized direction regarding: • seasonal timing of monitoring visits • field data collection procedures • sampling approaches (e.g., use of sample quadrats or transects) • field equipment specifications • qualifications of field personnel • reporting requirements Decommissioning NUREG–0586, “Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities,” Supplement 1, “Regarding the Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Reactors,” issued November 2002 (Ref. 28), summarizes the potential impacts of decommissioning nuclear reactors on aquatic environmental resources. Additionally, analysts should consider and evaluate the impacts to EFH during decommissioning. Most potential aquatic impacts would result from discontinued thermal discharge or alteration of shoreline or in-water structures during decommissioning. Other activities that could affect aquatic resources include, but are not limited to,