ML120170087
| ML120170087 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05000113 |
| Issue date: | 02/28/2012 |
| From: | Mcconnell K NRC/FSME/DWMEP/DURLD |
| To: | Tolbert L Univ of Arizona |
| References | |
| Download: ML120170087 (5) | |
Text
February 28, 2012 Dr. Leslie P. Tolbert Vice President for Research University of Arizona P.O. Box 210066 Tucson, Arizona 85721-0066
SUBJECT:
TERMINATION OF FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. R-52 FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA RESEARCH REACTOR AT THE NUCLEAR REACTOR LABORATORY
Dear Dr. Tolbert:
On May 21, 2009, the Decommissioning Plan (DP) for the University of Arizona Research Reactor (UARR) (ADAMS Accession Number ML091490074) was submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for review. This DP was supplemented on March 26, 2010 (ML100920089). NRC approved the UARR DP by Amendment No. 20, dated April 15, 2011 (ML110470589).
As required by the DP license amendment, the Final Status Survey (FSS) Plan for the Nuclear Reactor Laboratory (NRL) was submitted on May 25, 2011 (ML11168A059). Although no NRC approval was required, the NRC reviewed the survey plan and determined that it was consistent with the guidance in NUREG-1757, AConsolidated Decommissioning Guidance@ and NUREG-1575, Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual. The University of Arizona submitted a revised FSS Plan on August 18, 2011 (ML11234A164). The NRC reviewed this revision and determined it also to be acceptable.
The FSS report for the NRL was submitted on December 1, 2011 (ML11346A300). That report stated that the survey met the FSS plan and the DP, and demonstrated that the NRL met the requirements for unrestricted release specified in 10 CFR Part 20, Subpart E. The NRC reviewed the FSS report and has determined that the survey was conducted in accordance with the Decommissioning Plan and the FSS Plan. Additionally, the NRC has determined that the survey results in the report comply with the criteria in the NRC-approved decommissioning plan and the release criteria in 10 CFR Part 20, Subpart E for both the UARR and the NRL have been met.
On July 5, 2011, NRC Region IV issued inspection report 050-00113/11-001 for the research reactor at the NRL (ML11187A017). The inspector interviewed licensee staff, observed work in progress, and reviewed selected documents related to the licensee=s decommissioning activities. The inspector concluded that the licensee and its contracted work force were conducting decommissioning activities in accordance with the NRC approved decommissioning plan. The inspector also determined that the licensees final status survey plan was in general agreement with NRC guidance.
L. P Tolbert At the request of the NRC, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) conducted confirmatory survey activities at the NRL during the week of September 6, 2011.
The confirmatory survey activities included visual inspections/assessments, gamma measurements, alpha plus beta measurements, smear sampling, and soil sampling activities.
As a result of the confirmatory survey activities, ORISE identified two issues with the FSS activities performed at the NRL. As noted in the enclosed Notice of License Termination, both issues were subsequently resolved satisfactorily. ORISE documented the conduct and results of its survey activities in a report dated November 7, 2011 (ML11319A101) ORISE concluded that the licensees FSS data adequately and accurately demonstrated that the NRL is below the appropriate screening levels and that the ORISE confirmatory survey activities validate UARRs conclusion that the appropriate guidelines have been met.
The NRC has reviewed UARRs request dated December 1, 2011, to terminate Facility Operating License No. R-52 for the UARR (ML11346A300). Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.82(b)(6),
the NRC staff has concluded that the final status survey and associated documentation demonstrate that the decommissioning is complete and the facility and site meet the criteria for license termination in accordance with the NRC approved Decommissioning Plan.
Therefore, on the basis of decommissioning activities carried out by UARR, the NRC=s review of UARRs final status survey report, the results of NRC inspections conducted at UARRs facilities, and the results of NRC confirmatory surveys, the NRC concludes that decommissioning is complete and the facilities and site are suitable to be released for unrestricted use. Facility Operating License No. R-52 is hereby terminated.
In connection with the license termination, we are enclosing two copies of Amendment No. 12 to Indemnity Agreement No. E-14. Please sign and return one copy to this office.
Also enclosed is a copy of the Notice of License Termination, which is being sent to the Office of the Federal Register for publication.
L. P Tolbert In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of General Applicability," a copy of this letter and the referenced correspondence will be available electronically in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publically Available Records (PARS) component of the NRC's document system (ADAMS) at the referenced ML numbers. ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact John Hickman at (301) 415-3017.
Sincerely, Keith I. McConnell, Deputy Director Decommissioning and Uranium Recovery Licensing Directorate Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs Docket No.: 50-113
Enclosures:
- 1. Amendment No. 12 to Indemnity Agreement No. E-14
- 2. Federal Register Notice cc: Docket Service List
L. P Tolbert In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of General Applicability," a copy of this letter and the referenced correspondence will be available electronically in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publically Available Records (PARS) component of the NRC's document system (ADAMS) at the referenced ML numbers. ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact John Hickman at (301) 415-3017.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Keith I. McConnell, Deputy Director Decommissioning and Uranium Recovery Licensing Directorate Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs Docket No.: 50-113
Enclosures:
- 1. Amendment No. 12 to Indemnity Agreement No. E-14
- 2. Federal Register Notice cc: Docket Service List DISTRIBUTION RidsOgcMailCenter RidsAcrsAcnwMailCenter RidsRgn1MailCenter JHickman RidsFsmeOd ML120170183 OFFICE DWMEP DWMEP DWMEP DWMEP NRR/IFIB OGC DWMEP NAME JHickman CHolston SGiebel BWatson CRegan BJones KMcConnell DATE 1/18/12 1/18/12 1/18/12 1/18/12 1/20/12 2/23/12 2/28/12 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
University of Arizona Docket No. 50-113 cc:
Office of the Mayor P.O. Box 27210 Tucson, AZ 85726-7210 Director, Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency 4814 South 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85040 Robert Offerle, Acting Director Nuclear Reactor Laboratory University of Arizona P.O. Box 210020 Tucson, Arizona 85721-0020 University of Arizona ATTN: Director, Arizona Research Labs Gould-Simpson Bldg. 1011 P.O. Box 210077 Tucson, AZ 85721-0077 University of Arizona ATTN: Daniel Silvain, Radiation Safety Officer 1640 North Vine Tucson, AZ 85721-0020 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter 202 Nuclear Sciences Center University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611