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:
rridors close to special areas administered by Federal, State, or local agencies for scenic or recreational use might have unacceptable impacts regardless of design parameters. Such cases are most apt to arise near natural-resource-oriented areas (e.g., national forests), as opposed to recreation-oriented areas such as national parks, forests, or wildlife refuges. Some significant historical and archeological sites might also fall into this category. Another class of impacts involves the preempting of existing land use at the site itself. For example, commercial nuclear power station siting in areas uniquely suited for growing specialty crops may be considered a type of land conversion involving unacceptable economic dislocation. Under 7 CFR Part 1491, working agricultural lands are protected from conversion to nonagricultural use. Since power reactor sites under consideration are likely to be in rural areas and potentially under cultivation, this regulation may apply in determining site suitability. To determine whether it would be acceptable to locate a commercial nuclear power station near a special area of public use, the applicant should consult the responsible government agency. The Council on Environmental Quality has published a list of Federal agencies that have jurisdiction or expertise in land use planning, regulation, or management.7 7 See “National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementation Procedures; Appendixes I, II, and III,” U.S. Council on Environmental Quality (49 FR 49750; December 21, 1984). DG-4034, Page 44 The following are some of the Federal agencies that should be consulted for the special areas listed: • Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, • National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior), • Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife (U.S. Department of the Interior) (for national wildlife refuges), and • Forest Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture) (for national forest wilderness areas, primitive areas, and