Materials Environmental Reviews Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Fuel Cycle Facilities
- Public Involvement in the Fuel Cycle Program
- Uranium Recovery Facilities
- Public Involvement in Uranium Recovery
- Outreach Strategy for Indian Tribes Potentially Affected by Uranium Recovery Sites
- MOU between BLM and the NRC for Uranium Recovery Facilities
- Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel
- Public Involvement in Spent Fuel Storage
- Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities
- Public Involvement in Decommissioning
- National Environmental Policy Act
- Frequently Asked Questions About NRC's Role Under the National Environmental Policy Act
- NUREG-1748, "Environmental Review Guidance for Licensing Actions Associated with NMSS Programs
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The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires all Federal agencies to evaluate the impacts of proposed major actions on the human environment. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) complies with NEPA through regulations in Title 10, Part 51, of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR Part 51).
To learn more about the NRC’s environmental review process, please see Frequently Asked Questions About NRC's Role Under the National Environmental Policy Act and NUREG-1748, "Environmental Review Guidance for Licensing Actions Associated with NMSS Programs." For information regarding current and completed materials environmental reviews, see the following topics on this page:
Projects
The Environmental Review Branch in the NRC's Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs (FSME) serves as the Center of Excellence for the environmental reviews conducted by FSME and the NRC's Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS). Toward that end, the staff develops all environmental impact statements for licensing and rulemaking actions; reviews or develops environmental assessments; and provides environmental guidance, training, and support.
On November 30, 2009, the Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Office Director signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the NRC. This MOU defines the cooperative working relationship that will support the agencies' common goals in preparing NEPA documents related to the extraction of uranium and thorium at uranium recovery facilities on public lands administered by the BLM. Toward that end, the MOU is designed to improve interagency communications; facilitate the sharing of special expertise and information; and coordinate the preparation of studies, reports, and environmental NEPA documents.
The following table presents a list of NEPA reviews, which is also available as a dataset with an accompanying data dictionary (both in Microsoft Excel format). The entries in this table and the related dataset will be updated as new information becomes available and as NEPA reviews are initiated and completed.
| Facility | Facility Type | Application Type | Environmental Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clavert Cliffs | Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| Crow Butte | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| Crow Butte - North Trend | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | License Amendment | Environmental Assessment |
| Dewey Burdock | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | New License Application | Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement |
| Lost Creek | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | License Amendment | Environmental Assessment |
| Ludeman | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | License Amendment | Environmental Assessment |
| Marsland | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | License Amendment | Environmental Assessment |
| Prairie Island | Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| Smith Ranch Highland | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | License Renewal | Environmental Assessment |
| Ross | In Situ Recovery (ISR) | New License Application | Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement |
Public Involvement
The NRC has a long-standing practice of conducting its regulatory responsibilities in an open manner, and keeping the public informed of the agency's regulatory, licensing, and oversight activities. For that reason, the NRC is committed to informing the public about its materials environmental reviews, and providing opportunities for the public to participate in the agency’s decisionmaking process. To learn about future meetings, see our Public Meeting Schedule (the Current Projects table, above, identifies projects for which the NRC is currently hosting public meetings). See Public Meetings and Involvement, Hearing Opportunities and License Applications, and NUREG/BR-0215, "Public Involvement in the Regulatory Process," for general information about the available opportunities for public involvement in NRC activities. For information regarding past meetings, please see the topic-specific Public Involvement pages listed under Related Information, above. If you have questions or need additional information, Contact Us About NEPA Reviews.
