ML032731698
| ML032731698 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Grand Gulf  |
| Issue date: | 09/30/2003 |
| From: | Shannon M NRC/RGN-IV/DRP |
| To: | Forbes J Entergy Operations |
| References | |
| Download: ML032731698 (7) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION IV S I 1 RYAN PLAZA DRIVE, SUITE 400 ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76011-4005 September 30, 2003 Jeff S. Forbes, Vice President, Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box 756 Port Gibson, MS 39150 Operations - Grand Gulf Nuclear Station
SUBJECT:
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY DEFICIENCY IDENTIFIED DURING THE SEPTEMBER 17,2003, EXERCISE
Dear Mr. Forbes:
Enclosed is a copy of the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) Region VIS letter to the State of Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, dated September 24, 2003.
This letter discusses a deficiency identified during evaluation of the September 17,2003, emergency preparedness exercise at the Grand Gulf Nuclear Generating Station. FEMA defines a deficiency as, an observed or identified inadequacy of organizational performance in an exercise that could cause a finding that offsite emergency preparedness is not adequate to provide reasonable assurance that appropriate measures can be taken in the event of a radiological emergency to protect the health and safety of the public living in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant. Specifically, the deficiency is that Tensas Parish, Louisiana, is unable to ensure prompt notification to members of the public using the Emergency Alert System because radio station KNOE cannot immediately broadcast emergency information between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The purpose of this letter is to communicate FEMAs official notification of the deficiency in accordance with the NRC-FEMA Memorandum of Understanding. No response to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is required.
The NRC encourages Grand Gulf Nuclear Station to work with the appropriate off-site governmental agencies to ensure a timely resolution of this issue. The NRC will continue to monitor the status of this issue. In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, the NRC and FEMA Region VI will assess the progress made towards resolution of this issue by approximately December 1, 2003, and will decide at that time if additional measures are necessary.
If this issue is not resolved by January 24,2004, the Federal Emergency Management Agency may withdraw the finding of reasonable assurance according to the requirements of 44 CFR 350 d3(a) At that time the NRC would take appropriate action according to the requirernents of 10 CFR 50.54(~)(2) and 50.54(~)(3).
Entergy Operations, Inc.
If you have any further questions, please contact Ryan E. Lantz at (817) 860-8158, or Paul J.
Elkmann at (817) 276-6539.
Michael P. Shannon, Acting Chief Plant Support Branch Division of Reactor Safety Docket: 50-41 6 License: NPF-29
Attachment:
FEMA Region VI Letter to Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, dated September 24, 2003 Senior Vice President Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box 31 995 Jackson, MS 39286-1 995 and Chief Operating Officer Wise, Carter, Child & Caraway P.O. Box 651 Jackson, MS 39205 Winston & Strawn 1400 L Street, N.W. - 12th Floor Washington, DC 20005-3502 Jay Barkley, Chief Energy & Transportation Branch Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Division Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 10385 Jackson, MS 39289-0385 President, District 1 Claiborne County Board of Supervisors P.O. Box 339 Port Gibson, MS 39150
Entergy Operations, Inc.
General Manager Grand Gulf Nuclear Station Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box 756 Port Gibson, MS 39150 The Honorable Richard leyoub Attorney General Department of Justice State of Louisiana P.O. Box 94005 Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9005 Office of the Governor State of Mississippi Jackson, MS 39201 Mike Moore, Attorney General Frank Spencer, Asst. Attorney General State of MS P.O. Box 22947 Jackson, MS 39225 Dr. Brian W. Amy State Health Officer State Board of Health P.O. Box 1700 Jackson, MS 39215 Robert W. Goff, Program Director Division of Radiological Health Mississippi Dept. of Health P.O. Box 1700 Jackson, MS 3921 5-1 700 Vice President Operations Support Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box 31 995 Jackson, MS 39286-1 995 Director, Nuclear Safety and Regulatory Affairs Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box 756 Pori Gibson. MS 39150
Entergy Operations, Inc.
Technological Services Branch Chief FEMA Region IV 3003 Chamblee Tucker Rd.
Atlanta, Georgia 30341 Technological Services Branch
S& f 25.2003 4:-
a ATTACHMENT Federal Emergency Management Agency Region VI Federal Regional Center 800 North b o p 288 Denton, TX 76209-3606 September 24, 2003 Mr. N. Chris Roberie, Administrator Sweillmce Division Office afEnvironmenta1 Compliance Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 43 12 Baton Rouge, LA 70821-43 12
Dear Mr. Roberie:
This letter officially informs you of the Federal Brnergency Management &pncys (FEMA) identification of a Deficiency which occurred during the Urand Gulf Nuclear Station Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exefcise conducted on Septemba 17,2003. This issue was diecussed during the pod exercise partidpants briefing on September 18, 2003.
The Deficiency is being assessed against the Tensas Parish EOC under Evaluation Area Criterion 5.a. 1, Activation of the Prompt Alert and Notification System.
During the exercise performed on September 17,2003, the prompt ddng of the public was unsuccessllly demonstrated. Radio Station KNOE-FM Monroe, Lh is the primary warning point for Louisiana residents in the EPZ, The gtation is equipped with a dedicated phone and fax fiom the Tensas Parish EOC, where protective actions decisions are made. T h e FM station is located in a separate area of a large broadcast complex, and the FM station i s unmanned and automated from 11:OO p.m. to 6:OO a.m.
KNOE is unsatisfactory as currently configured for a %how warning point because the dedicated phone and fax ring only in the FM studio, which is not staEed &om 1 190 p,m. to 6:OO a.m. Tensas Parish residents are lefk in an information void during those hours when the sirens can be activated with no emergency instructions broadcast.
The stations dedicated phone lines and fax should be redundant within the AM radio and TV stations where there are 24-hour duty personnel. A radio override system could be installed so that the Tensas Parish Emergency Management Director could control the broadcut fiom the EOC.
SEP.25.2803 4:33QM FEMQ FGN V I CSEPP Chris Roberie September 24, 2003 Page 2 N0.383 P. 3 ~ 3 We have thoroughly reviewed and discussed this issue With PEhU Headquarters and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. P E U defines a Deficiency as "...an observed or identified inadequacy of organizational performance in an exercise that codd cause a finding that oaite emergency preparednem is not adequate to provide reasonable assurance that appropriate measurea c~ul be taken in the event of a radiological emergency to protect the health and safety of the public living in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant."
Because of the potential impact on the public health and safkty, this situation should be corrected within 120 days of the exercise date through appropriate remedial actiw. Please coordinate with this office the date and time of the pertinent remedial actions and identity ofthe State, Parish or other participants within 10 days fkom the date of thie letter.
Your cooperation in this matter is sincerely appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Lisa Hammond, Chair, Regional Assistame Committee, FEMA Region VI, at 940-898-5199, Aptin& Regional Director cc: Vanessa Quinn, FEMA HQ William A. Maier, NRC Region Iv Rick Foster, Tensas Parish OEP
Entergy Operations, Inc.
Electronic distribution by RIV w/o enclosure:
Regional Administrator (BSM1)
DRP Director (ATH)
DRS Director (DDC)
Senior Resident Inspector (TLH4)
Branch Chief, DRP/A (WDJ)
Senior Project Engineer, DRPIA (TRF)
Staff Chief, DRP/TSS (PHH)
RlTS Coordinator (NBH)
Regional State Liaison Officer (WAM)
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