Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: e5306f4f-dc8c-4f60-a71c-af7ad4080384
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Aquatic Environmental Studies for Nuclear Power Stations + HISTORY - HISTORY 12/2014 – DG-4023 -Proposed New Guide
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1318/ML13186A085.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.24
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
impingement, entrainment, and entrapment Impacts to aquatic biota caused by discontinued water withdrawal Distribution of various life stages of species in project area; projected discharge flow rate, extent of thermal plume, and discharged pollutants Impacts to species and habitats caused by water discharge Impacts to species and habitats caused by water discharge Impacts to species and habitats caused by water discharge Impacts to aquatic biota caused by discontinued water discharge Identification of Important Species and Habitats Aquatic environmental impact analyses for the NRC generally emphasize species and habitats meeting one or more importance criteria established by the agency (Ref. 26). Since the 1970s, the NRC has commonly used such criteria to address ecological impacts in NRC environmental documentation. Baseline data and natural resource agency consultations should form the basis for identifying specific important species and habitats. The following are criteria the NRC uses to identify important species and habitats: • Federally listed threatened or endangered species and designated critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The NRC encourages informal consultation with the agencies responsible for administration of the ESA, and the NRC will conduct ESA Section 7 consultations, as appropriate. For most federally listed aquatic species, either NMFS or DG-4023, Page 18 FWS maintains ESA responsibilities; however, for some species, such as sea turtles, NMFS and FWS share ESA responsibilities. • Species that are proposed or are candidates for federal listing as threatened or endangered and a habitat that is proposed for designation as critical habitat. For listed threatened or endangered species, informal consultation with NMFS or FWS is the best source of information. • State-listed threatened or endangered species and species otherwise considered rare or protected in the State (in contrast to widespread,