Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 01fb3132-b05a-41a0-ab81-466a6fb6f4d3
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Preparation of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Power Plant License Renewal Applications (Rev. 1)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0916/ML091620409.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.2S1
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
in the Commission’s regulations to be small. • MODERATE—For the issue, environmental effects are sufficient to alter noticeably, but not to destabilize, important attributes of the resource. • LARGE—For the issue, environmental effects are clearly noticeable and are sufficient to destabilize important attributes of the resource. Mitigation of Adverse Effects When adverse environmental effects are identified, 10 CFR 51.45(c) requires consideration of alternatives available for reducing or avoiding adverse effects. The applicant should identify any ongoing mitigation and should discuss the potential for additional mitigation. Applicants should consider mitigation alternatives in proportion to the significance of the impact. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in its regulations at 40 CFR 1508.20, “Mitigation,” identifies five types of mitigative actions: 1. avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action 2. minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation DG-4015, Page 8 3. rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environment 4. reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action 5. compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments The NRC uses these categories of mitigative actions in accordance with 10 CFR 51.14(b). The applicant should identify all relevant, reasonable mitigation measures that could reduce or avoid adverse effects, even if they are outside the jurisdiction of the NRC. Cumulative, Direct, and Indirect Impacts Environmental impacts, or effects, include direct effects, indirect effects, and cumulative effects. The assessment of environmental issues should consider each type of effect, which should be discussed in proportion to the significance of the impact attributed to license renewal. (See Impact Findings