Document: NUREG-1555
Document ID: a61e4980-ac86-4217-a0a1-30f6cb00c240
Document Type: esrp
Title: HYDROLOGIC ALTERATIONS
Source: NUREG-1555
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1555/initial/
Revision Date: 2007-10
Chapter: 4
Section ID: 4.2.1
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impacts of the proposed action, including any degradation of water quality, and to consider alternatives to the proposed action that are available for reducing the adverse impacts. If an environmental assessment of aquatic impacts is available from the permitting authority, the NRC will consider the assessment in its determination of the magnitude of the environmental impacts of striking an overall benefit-cost balance. When no such assessment of aquatic impacts is available from the permitting authority, the NRC (possibly in conjunction with the permitting authority and other agencies having relevant expertise) will establish its own impact determination. ` Because water quality and water supply are interdependent, changes in water quality must be considered simultaneously with changes in water supply. In Jefferson County PUD #1 vs. Department of Ecology (U.S. Supreme Court Case), the U.S. Supreme Court granted the States additional authority to limit hydrological alterations beyond the States’ role in regulating water rights. ` Regulatory Guide 4.2, Rev. 2, Preparation of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Power Stations (NRC 1976), contains guidance on the format and content of including hydrology, water-use, and water-quality issues. October 1999 4.2.1-5 NUREG-1555 Technical Rationale The technical rationale for evaluating the applicant’s proposed hydrologic alterations is discussed in the following paragraphs: A detailed and thorough description of the hydrological alterations occurring during construction activities is essential for the evaluation of potential impacts to the environment that may result from plant construction or operation. III. REVIEW PROCEDURES The reviewer should ensure that the construction activities that result in hydrologic alterations have been identified and seek confirmation that the alterations that result in environmental impacts have been described in sufficient detail to allow for the subsequent analysis and assessment of these