Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: f0baf50b-5bb7-4783-b2f9-9586e09c97e1
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Preparation of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Power Stations + HISTORY - HISTORY 02/2017 – DG-4026 , Proposed Revision 3 09/2014 – Periodic Review of Revision 2 – Revise (Rev. 3)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1611/ML16116A068.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.2
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CFR Title: 

Content:
the cumulative impacts of connected, cumulative, and similar actions. CEQ defines cumulative impact (also known as cumulative effect) in 40 CFR 1508.7 as “the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time.” The goal of the analysis is to introduce environmental considerations into the planning process as early as needed to improve decision-making. The ER should address the following information and analysis: • A description of the geographic area to be considered in the evaluation of cumulative impacts for each resource area and a brief explanation of why the geographic area was selected. The geographic area may be different for each resource area, as different resources have different impact areas. The geographic area for each resource should be defined by the extent to which impacts from the project are observed and the extent to which other past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions have or will affect the same resources. CEQ guidance, “Considering Cumulative Effects under the National Environmental Policy Act” (Ref. 89), recommends applying natural ecological or socio-cultural boundaries. Possible geographic areas that could be used to determine the appropriate geographic area for a cumulative impact analysis are in Table 2-2 of the CEQ Guidance. The EPA guidance in EPA Publication 315-R-99-002, “Consideration of Cumulative Impacts in EPA Review of NEPA Documents” (Ref. 90), recommends that the scope include geographical areas that sustain the resources of concern, but not be extended to the point of becoming unwieldy. Geographical proximity to the proposed action should be considered but is not a decisive