96 STAT. 2216
PUBLIC LAW 97-425—JAN. 7, 1983
meet such deadline, the reason why such agency could not reach an agreement with the Secretary, the estimated time for completion of the activity or activities involved, the associated effect on its other deadlines in the project decision schedule, and any recommendations it may have or actions it intends to take regarding any improvements in its operation or organization, or changes to its statutory directives or authority, so that it will be able to mitigate Report response, the delay involved. The Secretary, within 30 days after receiving filing with any such report, shall file with the Congress his response to such Congress. report, including the reasons why the Secretary could not amend the project decision schedule to accommodate the Federal agency involved. (f) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.—Any recommendation
made by the Secretary under this section shall be considered a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). A final environmental impact statement prepared by the Secretary under such Act shall accompany any recommendation to the President to approve a site for a repository. With respect to the requirements imposed by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), compliance with the procedures and requirements of this Act shall be deemed adequate consideration of the need for a repository, the time of the initial availability of a repository, and all alternatives to the isolation of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel in a repository. For purposes of complying with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 1321 et 42 USC 4321 et seq.) and this section, the Secretary shall consider as alternate sites ^9for the first repository to be developed under this subtitle 3 candidate sites with respect to which (1) site characterization has been completed under section 113; and (2) the Secretary has made a preliminary determination, that such sites are suitable for development as respositories consistent with the guidelines promulgated under section 112(a). The Secretary shall consider as alternative sites for subsequent repositories at least three of the remaining sites recommended by the Secretary by January 1, 1985, and by July 1, 1989, pursuant to section 112(b) and approved by the President for site characterization pursuant to section 112(c) for which (1) site characterization has been completed under section 113; and (2) the Secretary has made a preliminary determination that such sites are suitable for development as respositories consistent with the guidelines promulgated under section 112(a). Any environmental impact statement prepared in connection with a repository proposed to be constructed by the Secretary under this subtitle shall, to the extent practicable, be adopted by the Commission in connection with the issuance by the Commission of a construction authorization and license for such repository. To the extent such statement is adopted by the Commission, such adoption shall be deemed to also satisfy the responsibilities of the Commission under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and no further consideration shall be required, except that nothing in this subsection shall affect any independent responsibilities of the Commission to protect the public health and safety under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.). Nothing in this Act shall be construed to amend or otherwise detract from the licensing requirements of the Nucler Regulatory Commission as established in title II 42 USC 5841. of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-438). In
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