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Plan for Updating and Consolidating the Decommissioning Policy and Guidance of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Office Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, and Notice of Public Meeting

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: May 1, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 84)]
[Notices]
[Page 21793-21796]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01my01-118]

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Plan for Updating and Consolidating the Decommissioning Policy
and Guidance of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Office Nuclear
Material Safety and Safeguards, and Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Publication of plan and notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)
intends to consolidate and update the policy and guidance for NMSS's
decommissioning program. This endeavor is in response to the NMSS
performance goals, in the NRC's Strategic Plan, of: (1) Making NRC
activities and decisions more effective, efficient, and realistic; and
(2) reducing unnecessary regulatory burden on stakeholders.

DATES: Comments on this plan should be submitted by June 15, 2001. The
comments will be considered by NRC in the process of updating and
consolidating the policy and guidance for NMSS's decommissioning
program.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to: Jack D. Parrott, Project
Scientist, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, Mail Stop
T-7F27, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001.
Hand-deliver comments to: 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, between
7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., Federal workdays. Copies of comments received
may be examined at the NRC Public Document Room, 11555 Rockville Pike,
Room O-1F21, Rockville, MD 20852. The NRC Public Document Room is open
from 7:45 a.m.

[[Page 21794]]

to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack D. Parrott, Mail Stop T-7F27,
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001.
Telephone: (301) 415-6700; Internet: JDP1@NRC.GOV.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The initial scope of this effort covers all
of the decommissioning policies and guidance that implement the NMSS
decommissioning regulations. Three NUREG volumes have been identified
for development which would update/consolidate all existing NMSS
decommissioning guidance documents to the extent practicable. Also
reviewed will be decommissioning technical assistance requests,
decommissioning licensing conditions, and all decommissioning generic
communications issued over the past several years. For the purposes of
this project, the NMSS decommissioning policy and guidance documents
will be grouped into the functional categories of: (1) The General
Materials Decommissioning Process, (2) Characterization, Survey, and
Determination of Radiological Criteria, and (3) Financial Assurance,
Recordkeeping, and Timeliness. The three NUREG volumes will follow
these functional categories. The documents that will be considered in
this consolidation/updating project are identified in Table 1.

Table I.--Documents for Consideration in the Decommissioning
Guidance Consolidation Project

Guidance Documents To Be Consolidated

NUREG-1727, ``NMSS Decommissioning Standard Review Plan,'' September
2000
NUREG/BR-0241, ``NMSS Handbook for Decommissioning Fuels Cycle and
Materials Licensees,'' March 1997
Information Notice 90-16, ``Compliance with New Decommissioning Rule,''
March 1990
``Draft Branch Technical Position on Site Characterization for
Decommissioning,'' November 1994
NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2000-09, ``Standard Review Plan for
Licensee Requests to Extend the Time Periods Established for Initiation
of Decommissioning Activities,'' June 2000
NRC Administrative Letter 96-05, Revision 1, ``Compliance with the Rule
``T `Timeliness in Decommissioning of Material Facilities' '' July 1998
Information Notice 96-47, ``Record-keeping and Decommissioning
Notifications for Disposals of Radioactive Waste by Land Burial
Authorized under Former 10 CFR 20.304, 20.302, and Current 20.2002,''
August 1996
Information Notice 90-38, Supplement 1, ``License and Fee Requirements
For Processing Financial Assurance Submittals for Decommissioning,''
November 1990
Information Notice 90-38, ``Requirements for Processing Financial
Assurance Submittals for Decommissioning,'' May 1990
Information Notice 90-16, ``Compliance with New Decommissioning Rule,''
March 1990
Records Management Guide 93-03, ``Final Criteria for Determining That
Records Should be Retained Permanently Because of Significant
Historical Value,'' 1993
Records Management Guide 92-01, ``Plan for Decommissioning Records,''
1992

Other Documents for Reference/Consideration

NUREG-1575, ``Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation
Manual (MARSSIM), Rev. 1,'' August 2000
NUREG/CR-5512, Volume 1, ``Residual Radioactive Contamination from
Decommissioning: Technical Basis for Translating Contamination Levels
to Annual Total Effective Dose Equivalent,'' October 1992
Draft NUREG/CR-5512, Volume 2, ``Residual Radioactive Contamination
from Decommissioning: User's Manual,'' May 1999
Draft NUREG/CR-5512, Volume 3, ``Residual Radioactive Contamination
From Decommissioning: Parameter Analysis,'' October 1999
Draft NUREG/CR-5512, Volume 4, ``Comparison of the Models and
Assumptions used in the DandD 1.0, RESRAD 5.61, and RESRAD-Build
Computer Codes with Respect to the Residential Farmer and Industrial
Occupant Scenarios Provided in NUREG/CR-5512,'' October 1999
NUREG/CR-5621, ``Groundwater Models in Support of NUREG/CR-5512,''
December 1998
Draft NUREG-1549, ``Decision Methods for Dose Assessment to Comply with
Radiological Criteria for License Termination,'' July 1998
NUREG/CR-6692, ``Probabilistic Modules for the RESRAD and RESRAD-Build
Computer Codes,'' November 2000
Draft NUREG-1505, Rev. 1, ``A Nonparametric Statistical Methodology for
the Design and Analysis of Final Status Decommissioning Surveys,'' June
1998
NUREG-1506, ``Measurement Methods for Radiological Surveys in Support
of New Decommissioning Criteria,'' August 1995
NUREG-1507, ``Minimum Detectable Concentrations with Typical Radiation
Survey Instruments for Various Contaminants and Field Conditions,''
August 1995
Manual Chapter 2605, ``Decommissioning Procedures for Fuel Cycle and
Materials Licensees,'' November 1996
Manual Chapter 2602, ``Decommissioning Inspection Program for Fuel
Cycle Facilities and Materials Licensees,'' June 1997
Inspection Procedure 87104, ``Decommissioning Inspection Procedure for
Materials Licensees,'' June 1997
Inspection Procedure 88104, ``Decommissioning Inspection Procedure for
Fuel Cycle Facilities,'' June 1997
Inspection Procedure 83890, ``Closeout Inspection and Survey,'' March
1994
Temporary Instruction 2800/026, ``Follow-up Inspection of Formerly
Licensed Sites Identified as Potentially Contaminated'', July 2000

Background/Bases Documents

Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended
National Environmental Policy Act
10 CFR 20, Subpart E--Radiological Criteria for License Termination
10 CFR 30.35--Financial assurance and recordkeeping for decommissioning
10 CFR 30.36--Expiration and termination of licenses and
decommissioning of sites and separate buildings or outdoor areas
10 CFR part 30, Appendix A--Criteria Relating to Use of Financial Tests
and Parent Company Guarantees for Providing Reasonable Assurance of
Funds for Decommissioning
10 CFR part 30, Appendix C--Criteria Relating to Use of Financial Tests
and Self Guarantees for Providing Reasonable Assurance of Funds for
Decommissioning
10 CFR part 30, Appendix D--Criteria Relating to Use of Financial Tests
and Self-Guarantee for Providing Reasonable Assurance of Funds for
Decommissioning by Commercial Companies That Have no Outstanding Rated
Bonds
10 CFR part 30, Appendix E--Criteria Relating to Use of Financial Tests
and Self-Guarantee For Providing Reasonable Assurance of Funds For
Decommissioning by Nonprofit Colleges, Universities, and Hospitals

[[Page 21795]]

10 CFR 40.36--Financial assurance and recordkeeping for decommissioning
10 CFR 40.42--Expiration and termination of licenses and
decommissioning of sites and separate buildings or outdoor areas
10 CFR 70.25--Financial assurance and recordkeeping for decommissioning
10 CFR 70.38--Expiration and termination of licenses and
decommissioning of sites and separate buildings or outdoor areas
10 CFR 72.30--Financial assurance and recordkeeping for decommissioning
10 CFR 72.54--Expiration and termination of licenses and
decommissioning of sites and separate buildings or outdoor areas
10 CFR 72.130--Criteria for decommissioning
62 FR 39058, ``Radiological Criteria for License Termination,'' July
1997
53 FR 24018, ``General Requirements for Decommissioning Nuclear
Facilities,'' June 1988
64 FR 68395, ``Supplemental Information on the Implementation of the
Final Rule on Radiological Criteria for License Termination,'' December
1999
63 FR 64132, ``Supplemental Information on the Implementation of the
Final Rule on Radiological Criteria for License Termination,'' November
1998
62 FR 39058, ``Radiological Criteria for License Termination,'' July
1997
53 FR 24018, ``General Requirements for Decommissioning Nuclear
Facilities,'' June 1988
61 FR 24669, ``Termination or Transfer of Licensed Activities:
Recordkeeping Requirements,'' May 1996
60 FR 38235, ``Clarification of Decommissioning Funding Requirements,''
July 1995
59 FR 36026, ``Timeliness in Decommissioning of Materials Facilities,''
July 1994
58 FR 39628, ``Decommissioning Recordkeeping and License Termination:
Documentation Additions,'' July 1993
53 FR 24018, ``General Requirements for Decommissioning Nuclear
Facilities,'' June 1988
NUREG-1496, ``Generic Environmental Impact Statement in Support of
Rulemaking on Radiological Criteria for License Termination of NRC-
Licensed Nuclear Facilities,'' July 1997
NUREG-0586, ``Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement on
Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities,'' August 1988
NUREG/CR-1754, ``Technology, Safety and Costs of Decommissioning
Reference Non-Fuel-Cycle Nuclear Facilities,'' February 1981
NUREG/CR-1754, ``Technology, Safety and Costs of Decommissioning
Reference Non-Fuel Cycle Nuclear Facilities,'' Addendum 1, October 1989
NUREG/CR-0129, ``Technology, Safety and Costs of Decommissioning a
Reference Small Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Plant,'' February 1979
NUREG/CR-1266, ``Technology, Safety and Costs of Decommissioning a
Reference Uranium Fuel Fabrication Plant,'' October 1980
NUREG/CR-1757, ``Technology, Safety and Costs of Decommissioning a
Reference Uranium Hexafluoride Conversion Plant,'' October 1981
NUREG/CR-2210, ``Technology, Safety and Costs of Decommissioning a
Reference Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation,'' January 1984
NUREG/CR-2241, ``Technology and Costs of Termination Surveys Associated
with Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities,'' February 1982
NUREG/CR-3293, ``Technology, Safety and Costs of Decommissioning
Reference Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Non Fuel Cycle Facilities Following
Postulated Accidents,'' May 1985
NUREG/CR-6280, ``Technology, Safety, and Costs of Decommissioning a
Reference Large Irradiator and Reference Sealed Sources,'' January 1996
NUREG/CR-6477, ``Revised Analyses of Decommissioning Reference Non-
Fuel-Cycle Facilities,'' July 1998
NUREG/CR-6656, ``Information on Hydrologic Conceptual Models,
Parameters, Uncertainty Analysis, and Data Sources for Dose Assessments
at Decommissioning Sites,'' November 1999

Licensing Documents To Be Considered

Post License Termination Rule decommissioning technical assistance
requests
Post License Termination Rule license amendments
Site specific decommissioning Environmental Assessments/Environmental
Impact Statements
Site specific decommissioning Safety Evaluation Reports
Results of decommissioning financial assurance reviews
Site specific submittals of Form NRC-314, ``Certificate of Disposition
of Materials''

Other Documents for Possible Reference

Other agencies' documents--e.g., U.S. Department of Energy, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, Council on
Environmental Quality
Consensus standards--American Nuclear Society, American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, American Society for Testing and Materials,
Health Physics Society
International guidance--International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear
Energy Agency

    The implementation of the consolidation and updating of the
decommissioning policy and guidance documents will be conducted using
the Business Process Reengineering (BPR) techniques established for the
NRC's materials licensing policy and guidance consolidation and
updating efforts (NUREG-1556 series). The BPR approach will be used to
both develop the product, and manage the review and concurrence
process, using self-managed teams consisting of NRC headquarters and
regional resources. The goal is to produce consolidated NMSS
decommissioning guidance that allows the NRC staff to evaluate
information submitted by licensees in a timely, efficient, and
consistent manner that protects public health and safety.
    The development of each NUREG volume will follow a standardized BPR
team model to facilitate overall project management. Teams will consist
of a team leader and three or four team members, representing
headquarters and regional staff, and possibly Agreement State
participation.
    The goal is to commence the first NUREG volume project in the June/
July 2001 time frame, the second NUREG volume in the January 2002 time
frame, and the third NUREG volume in the June/July 2002 time frame. The
BPR model uses a one year schedule that contains two periods of
document production for each volume. The first phase of document
production lasts five months during which the teams work together at
NRC headquarters during much of this time to focus their efforts on the
guidance document, and to take advantage of the facilitation services
provided by the NRC's Regulatory Product Development Center. At the end
of the first phase a draft NUREG volume is produced which is released
to the public for review and to solicit public input. After a 90-day
comment period, the teams reconvene periodically over approximately
four months to consider public input and revise the document. The NUREG
volume is then published in final.
    The overall project is scheduled to be completed by the end of
fiscal year 2003 with the publication of the final version of the third
NUREG volume. The end result will be a streamlined multi-volume NUREG
grouped into the decommissioning functional categories described above,
with the goal of

[[Page 21796]]

making decommissioning activities licensed by NRC more effective and
efficient while reducing unnecessary regulatory burden on stakeholders.
Further ease of use will be realized by making this a web-based
document. Note also that the BPR model establishes a 3-year review
cycle for updating the guidance.
    The updated, consolidated guidance will be provided to all users,
both NRC and licensee, in hardcopy and/or electronic media. Since each
group will have access to the same guidance, the expected results are
more complete license documents that will expedite the approval process
for both applicants and reviewers. As a result, the resource
expenditure for this project will serve to improve the overall
decommissioning process. Successful completion of this project is an
integral component of the effort to meet NMSS' performance goals in the
NRC's Strategic Plan. This will be done by developing decommissioning
guidance that ensures that NRC's decommissioning activities and
decisions are more effective, efficient, and realistic; and that they
reduce unnecessary regulatory burden on stakeholders through, for
example, the application of risk insights and performance-based
methods, and the use of a consistent decommissioning regulatory basis.
    Public Meeting: NRC will conduct a public meeting in the auditorium
of the NRC's headquarters office, Two White Flint North, 11545
Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, on June 1, 2001, to discuss this plan
for updating and consolidating the decommissioning policy and guidance
of the NRC's Office Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards with
interested members of the public. The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m.
to 2 p.m. There will be an opportunity for members of the public to ask
questions of NRC staff and make comments related to the plan. The
meeting will be transcribed. For more information on the public
meeting, please contact Jack D. Parrott, Project Scientist, Office of
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, Mail Stop T-7F27, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; 301-415-6700;
Internet: JDP1@NRC.GOV.

    Dated at Rockville, MD, this 20th day of April, 2001.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Larry W. Camper,
Chief, Decommissioning Branch Division of Waste Management, Office of
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 01-10823 Filed 4-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

 
 

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