10 CFR § 960.5-2-8 - Surface characteristics.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t10/s960.5-2-8"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "10 CFR § 960.5-2-8 - Surface characteristics."
title_number: 10
title_name: "Energy"
section_number: "960.5-2-8"
section_name: "Surface characteristics."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY"
part_number: "960"
part_name: "GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE PRELIMINARY SCREENING OF POTENTIAL SITES FOR A NUCLEAR WASTE REPOSITORY"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 2011  42 U.S.C. 7101  42 U.S.C. 10101"
regulatory_source: "49 FR 47752, Dec. 6, 1984, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "960"
---


# 960.5-2-8 Surface characteristics.

(a) *Qualifying condition.* The site shall be located such that, considering the surface characteristics and conditions of the site and surrounding area, including surface-water systems and the terrain, the requirements specified in § 960.5-1(a)(3) can be met during repository siting, construction, operation, and closure.

(b) *Favorable conditions.* (1) Generally flat terrain.

(2) Generally well-drained terrain.

(c) *Potentially adverse condition.* Surface characteristics that could lead to the flooding of surface or underground facilities by the occupancy and modification of flood plains, the failure of existing or planned man-made surface-water impoundments, or the failure of engineered components of the repository.