Notice of Availability of Memorandum of Understanding Between U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Environmental Reviews Related to the Issuance of Authorizations To Construct and Operate Nuclear Power Plants

Résumé

On September 12, 2008, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which establishes a framework for early coordination and participation among the agencies. The MOU is an effort to facilitate the timely review of proposed nuclear power plant applications and it establishes a commitment to early agency involvement; proactive participation and informal communication throughout the review process; sharing of information gathered, considered and relied upon by each agency; and, if requested, interagency participation in public hearings. Interagency cooperation under the MOU will facilitate each agency's compliance with its review responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act and other related statutes with respect to the authorizations required to construct and operate nuclear power plants licensed by the NRC. It is anticipated that the Corps will act as a cooperating agency in most circumstances; however, the MOU does not preclude different forms of coordination (e.g., Corps participation as a consulting agency).