ML041060676

Ltr H J Porter, Blwm, Dept of Health and Environmental Control, Re Safety Significance and Missing Millstone Unit 1 Fuel Rods

ML041060676
Person / Time
Site:	Millstone
Issue date:	04/14/2004
From:	Greeves J NRC/NMSS/DWM
To:	Porter H US Dept of Health & Human Services (HHS)
McKenney C (415-6663)
Shared Package
ML041060658	List: ML041060676
References
FOIA/PA-2004-0369
Download: ML041060676 (3)

Text

April 14, 2004 Henry J. Porter, Assistant Director Division of Waste Management Bureau of Land and Waste Management Department of Health & Environmental Control 2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201

Dear Mr. Porter:

This is in reference to the potential disposal of the Millstone Unit 1 missing fuel rods at either the Barnwell, South Carolina, or Hanford, Washington, low-level waste disposal facilities. U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has completed its evaluation regarding the safety significance of the potential presence of the Millstone Unit 1 missing fuel rods at either of these sites. Attached are the final safety analyses for the missing fuel rods (Attachments 1 and 2) and the response to comments (Attachment 3) received following the January 6, 2003, publication of the draft analyses in the Federal Register.

The conclusion of the safety analyses is that the presence of the two fuel rods, if they are at either site, is minimal to both the present workers and future generations of the public.

Additional efforts to locate and retrieve the missing fuel rods are not warranted. The rods, if present, do not constitute a risk to the public health and safety, or environment.

Consequently, on the basis of the safety analyses, no further regulatory action is warranted .

NRC considers this matter closed. However, the NRC concurs with your requirement of the special notation for Slit Trench number 8 in your July 1, 2003, letter to Chem-Nuclear Systems, LLC, which provides for including the source terms from these rods, as we have not ruled out the possibility that they are at Barnwell. If the Millstone Unit 1 missing spent fuel rods were to be positively identified at your licensees site, we would appreciate a prompt notification.

Also enclosed is the letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Attachment 4).

Henry J. Porter 2 If you have any questions regarding this decision, please contact Christepher McKenney, of my staff, at (301) 415-6663.

Sincerely,

/RA/

John T. Greeves, Director Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Attachment:

1. Barnwell Safety Analysis

2. Hanford Safety Analysis

3. Response to Comments on Draft Safety Analyses

4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency comments

Pkg. ML041060658

• See previous concurrence OFFICE DWM:NMSS SC:DWM:NMSS DD:DWMEP:NMSS OGC NAME CAMcKenney:rmh* ACCampbell* SCFlanders* STreby*

DATE 10/20/03 10/21/03 4/05/04 4/9/04 OFFICE STP NRR:D:DLPM D:DNMS:RGNI D:DWMEP:NMSS NAME PHLohaus* LBMarsh* GCPangburn* JTGreeves DATE 4/6/04 4/13/04 4/06/04 4/14 /04