Resolution of Generic Safety Issues: Issue 184: Endangered Species (Rev. 1) ( NUREG-0933, Main Report with Supplements 1–34 )
DESCRIPTION
In 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act for the protection of endangered or threatened species. In responding to a Commission memorandum of July 30, 1991, concerning efforts of the Commission, applicants, and licensees for the protection of endangered species in the vicinity of nuclear power facilities, it was identified that the NRC may not have completed all the necessary activities required by the Endangered Species Act for some of the facilities that have identified endangered species.
This issue was identified in an NRR memorandum1601 to RES in February 1996 and called for the staff to develop a list of currently listed protected species in the vicinity of each nuclear power plant site, identify individual licensee programs and activities being conducted to further the conservation of protected species, and conduct informal or formal consultation with either the National Marine Fisheries Service or the Fish and Wildlife Service, as warranted, on any specific site. This issue addressed impacts on the environment of nuclear plants and, therefore, was considered an Environmental Issue.1731
CONCLUSION
An action plan was developed to determine the additional actions, if any, that needed to be taken at individual sites so that the NRC could meet its obligations under the Endangered Species Act. This plan called for the staff to: (1) evaluate plant-specific lists of endangered species and existing licensee commitments to further the conservation of the protected species; and (2) determine if informal or formal consultation with either the National Marine Fisheries Service or the Fish and Wildlife Service is warranted. A list of currently listed protected species in the vicinity of each nuclear power plant site was developed by the staff.
