A GIS-Based Methodology for Evaluating Power Plant Site Hydrology for an Environmental Impact Statement

摘要

The threat of an airborne attack on a nuclear power plant became a greater national security concern as a result of the events of September 11, 2001. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has begun implementing new regulations for increasing security at the nation's nuclear power plants. One regulatory concern attracting attention is whether the NRC is required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to issue an Environmental Impact Statement about the potential threat of an airborne terrorist attack when relicensing a nuclear facility. Two U.S. Court of Appeals Circuits have arrived at different decisions. Geographic Information Systems are a useful tool in modeling and evaluating a large variety of environmental factors that may be impacted by such an attack. Specifically, site hydrology is an important concern due to the risks of contaminant transport. A methodology has been developed to utilize GIS in modeling potential hydrologic impacts using stream geography and hydraulics, depth to groundwater, topography, meteorological data and other site characteristics to evaluate potential impacts. This evaluation can be used to provide data for an EIS in facility relicensing and also for new facility licensing and design as a best management practice or as future regulation requires.