Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 239cc7c1-f2cb-46cc-945d-8009db28aa6c
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: General Site Suitability Criteria for Nuclear Power Stations + HISTORY - HISTORY 12/2023 – DG-4034 , Proposed Revision 4 12/2011 – DG-4021 , Proposed Revision 3 02/1995 – DG-4004, Second Proposed Revision 2 11/1992 – DG-4003, Proposed Revision 2 (Rev. 4)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2312/ML23123A090.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-10
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.7
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
species already occupy the remaining suitable areas. Some species will desert a breeding area because of human activities nearby, even if these activities do not physically disturb the actual breeding area. Of special concern in site selection are those unique or especially rich feeding areas that station construction or operation might destroy, degrade, or make inaccessible to important species. Evaluations of potential effects of construction or operation on feeding areas should consider the size of the feeding area on site in relation to that of the total feeding area off site, food density, time of use, location in relation to other habitats, topography relative to access routes, and other factors (including human activities). Site modification may reduce the quality of feeding areas by destroying part of the food base, destroying cover, or both. In balancing costs and benefits, it is important to consider the uniqueness of a habitat or ecological system within the region under consideration, the amount of the habitat or ecological system that would be destroyed or disrupted relative to the total amount in the region, and the vulnerability of the reproductive capacity of important populations to the effects of construction and operation of the station and ancillary facilities. The proportion of an important habitat that would be destroyed or significantly altered, in relation to the total habitat within the region, is a useful parameter for estimating potential impacts of station construction or operation. This proportion varies across species and habitats; it is determined based on the normal geographic range of the population in question. In general, a detailed justification should be provided for the proposed destruction or significant alteration of more than a few percent of important habitat types. The reproductive capacity of important populations and the harvestable crop of economically or recreationally important populations should be maintained unless