Site characterization

The Secretary shall carry out, in accordance with the provisions of this section, appropriate site characterization activities at the Yucca Mountain site. The Secretary shall consider fully the comments received under subsection (b)(2) and section 10132(b)(2) of this title and shall, to the maximum extent practicable and in consultation with the Governor of the State of Nevada, conduct site characterization activities in a manner that minimizes any significant adverse environmental impacts identified in such comments or in the environmental assessment submitted under subsection (b)(1).11 See References in Text note below. Before proceeding to sink shafts at the Yucca Mountain site, the Secretary shall submit for such candidate site to the Commission and to the Governor or legislature of the State of Nevada, for their review and comment— a general plan for site characterization activities to be conducted at such candidate site, which plan shall include— In conducting site characterization activities— if any radioactive material is used at a site— If the Secretary at any time determines the Yucca Mountain site to be unsuitable for development as a repository, the Secretary shall— Each activity of the Secretary under this section that is in compliance with the provisions of subsection (c) shall be considered a preliminary decisionmaking activity. No such activity shall require the preparation of an environmental impact statement under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)), or to 33 So in original. The word “to” probably should not appear. require any environmental review under subparagraph (E) or (F) of section 102(2) of such Act.