(a) The owner or operator shall estimate in the RMP the population within a circle with its center at the point of the release and a radius determined by the distance to the endpoint defined in § 68.22(a).

(b) Population to be defined. Population shall include residential population. The presence of institutions (schools, hospitals, prisons), parks and recreational areas, and major commercial, office, and industrial buildings shall be noted in the RMP.

(c) Data sources acceptable. The owner or operator may use the most recent Census data, or other updated information, to estimate the population potentially affected.

(d) Level of accuracy. Population shall be estimated to two significant digits.