Aquatic Ecology

Aquatic ecological resources may be impacted during the decommissioning process by either direct or indirect disturbance of plant or animal communities near the facility site. Direct impacts can result from activities such as removal of structures (e. g., the intake or discharge facilities) at the shoreline or in the water; the active dredging of a stream, river, or ocean bottom; or filling a stream or bay. Indirect impacts may result from effects such as runoff. If decommissioning does not include removal of shore­line or in-water structures, very little aquatic habitat will probably be disturbed. Thus, practically all aquatic habitat that was used during regular plant operations or, at a minimum, was not previously disturbed during construction of the site will not be impacted.