Environmental Review Guidance for Licensing Actions Associated with NMSS Programs

This guidance document provides general procedures for the environmental review of licensing actions regulated by the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS). Although the main focus of this guidance is the NRC staff's environmental review process, it also contains related information which applicants and licensees may find useful. Chapter 1 provides a summary and overview of the guidance. This chapter briefly discusses the three ways in which an environmental review is performed: either by meeting the criteria for a categorical exclusion or by preparing an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS). This chapter also discusses early planning for an EA or EIS and methods of using previous environmental analyses related to the proposed action. Chapter 2 discusses the categorical exclusions and the basis of their use. Chapter 3 discusses the EA process, including preparation and content of the EA, and preparation of the Finding of No Significant Impact. Chapter 4 discusses the process of preparing an EIS, from developing a project plan through scoping, consultations and public meetings, to preparing the Record of Decision. Chapter 5 discusses the technical content of the EIS, and Chapter 6 discusses environmental information that should be considered by applicants and licensees in preparing their environmental report.