ML082900916
| ML082900916 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Plum Brook File:National Aeronautics and Space Administration icon.png |
| Issue date: | 10/16/2008 |
| From: | Tadesse R NRC/FSME/DWMEP/DURLD/MDB |
| To: | Peecook K US National Aeronautics & Space Admin (NASA) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML082900908 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML082900916 (5) | |
Text
October 16, 2008 Keith Peecook, Program Manager Plum Brook Reactor Decommissioning Program National Aeronautics and Space Administration Plum Brook Station 6100 Columbus Avenue Sandusky, OH 44870
SUBJECT:
REPORT OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 MEETING WITH NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Dear Mr. Peecook:
On September 3, 2008, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) met to discuss the Plum Brook characterization and modeling results, and NASAs proposed approach for demonstrating compliance with NRCs cleanup requirements. The meeting report is enclosed.
If you have any questions related to this matter, please contact Chad Glenn of my staff at 301-415-6722.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Rebecca Tadesse, Chief Materials Decommissioning Branch Decommissioning and Uranium Recovery Licensing Directorate Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs Docket Nos.: 50-30 and 50-185
Enclosure:
Meeting Report cc w/encl: NASA Service List
Keith Peecook, Program Manager Plum Brook Reactor Decommissioning Program National Aeronautics and Space Administration Plum Brook Station 6100 Columbus Avenue Sandusky, OH 44870
SUBJECT:
REPORT OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 MEETING WITH NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Dear Mr. Peecook:
On September 3, 2008, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) met to discuss the Plum Brook characterization and modeling results, and NASAs proposed approach for demonstrating compliance with NRCs cleanup requirements. The meeting report is enclosed.
If you have any questions related to this matter, please contact Chad Glenn of my staff at 301-415-6722.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Rebecca Tadesse, Chief Materials Decommissioning Branch Decommissioning and Uranium Recovery Licensing Directorate Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs Docket Nos.: 50-30 and 50-185
Enclosure:
Meeting Report cc w/encl: NASA Service List ML082900908 Office DWMEP DWMEP DWMEP Name CGlenn SMichonski RTadesse Date 10/16/08 10/16/08 10/16/08
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/ /
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Meeting Report DATE:
September 3, 2008 TIME:
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION:
Huron Public Library 333Williams Street Huron, OH 44839 PURPOSE:
Discuss results of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Plum Brook dose modeling analysis and proposed options for demonstrating compliance with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory (NRC) requirements.
BACKGROUND:
In August 2005, NASA reported low levels of cesium in some off-site sediment samples along Plum Brook and determined that this material originated in permitted discharges of water during normal reactor operations (1961-1973). In November 2005, NASA worked with appropriate agencies to develop a sampling plan and initiated sampling. NASA subsequently retained a hydrogeological consultant to complete a comprehensive sampling program extending from the mouth of Plum Brook to Sandusky Bay. In January 2008, NASA provided NRC, Ohio Department of Health, county and local officials with a series of reports documenting the results of this characterization program.
DISCUSSION:
On September 3, 2008, the NRC and National NASA staff met to discuss the results of the Plum Brook characterization and dose modeling analysis. A representative of the Ohio Department of Health and interested members of the public also attended this meeting. The agenda is available as ML082310087, the list of attendees is available at ML082900924, and the presentation slides are available at ML082690407 and ML082590542.
During this meeting, NASA staff gave a presentation in which they described the characterization program for the Plum Brook and presented the results of the sampling and analysis. NASA staff also described their dose assessment and supporting information, including: scenarios selected, current local land use, present distribution of contamination in the stream, parameter values selected, and results of the dose calculations. NASA staff discussed thier approach for demonstrating compliance with NRC requirements and proposed to use the dose assessment approach (described in NUREG-1757) to demonstrate compliance with NRCs cleanup criteria for unrestricted use. Finally, NASA noted that the characterization information provided to NRC did not include characterization of the portion of the Plum Brook closest to the site. NASA stated that this information, including maps and figures showing the sapmpling locations, will be provided to NRC.
NRC staff presented its expectations for using the dose assessment approach to demonstrate compliance with the dose criteria for unresticted use (25 mrem/yr plus ALARA). NRC staff explained that justification is needed for: the source term, exposure scenario, and parameter values selected. NRC emphasized that the source term abstraction is very important in the
2 dose assessment approach. The reason for this is that in the Derived Concentration Guideline Level (DCGL) approach, the conservative assumption is used that the whole site is homogeneously contaminated to the DCGL value. However, since the dose assessment approach does not have this conservativism built in, it is important for the source term used in the dose assessment to appropriately capture the configuration of the residual contamination.
Other important considerations for evaluating the source term using the dose assessment approach include: (a) spatial variability and uncertainty in the concentration of radionuclides; (b) explicit consideration of areas with elevated contamination and; (c) the need for quality data because there is no Final Status Survey in this approach. NRC staff noted that guidance on source term abstraction can be found in NUREG 1757 Vol 2 Appendix I.
ACTIONS:
NASA staff stated that it will provide NRC with outstanding characterization information, including maps and figures showing the sampling locations.
NRC staff stated that it would consult internally and identify the appropriate framework for NRC's review and approval of NASAs proposed approach for demonstrating compliance with NRC requirements.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Service List - Chad Glenn, Project Manager cc:
Ohio Department of Health ATTN: Radiological Health Program Director P.O. Box 118 Columbus, OH 43216 Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Division of Planning Environmental Assessment Section P.O. Box 1049 Columbus, OH 43216 Mr. J. Eric Denison Bureau of Radiation Protection Ohio Department of Health P.O. Box 118 Columbus, OH 43216 Mr. Hank Pfanner NASA Plumbrook Station 6100 Columbus Avenue Sandusky, OH 44870 Mr. Keith Peecook NASA Plumbrook Station 6100 Columbus Avenue Sandusky, OH 44870 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center Gainesville, FL 32611 Mike Rubadue Bureau of Radiation Protection Ohio Department of Health P.O. Box 118 Columbus, OH 43216