ML18193A903

Outreach Calls February 2017

ML18193A903
Person / Time
Issue date:	07/12/2018
From:	Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
To:
Poy S
Shared Package
ML18193A447	List: ML18193A448 ML18193A856 ML18193A882 ML18193A903 ML18193A919
References
Download: ML18193A903 (2)

Text

Outreach calls to Tribes affected by the WY Agreement State request Greeting:

The purpose of this call is to follow up on a letter the NRC sent recently on the request by the State of Wyoming to become an Agreement State. The call is on behalf of Paul Michalak, Branch Chief for the Agreement State Program Branch (ASPB). Following up to see if you have questions or concerns and to coordinate communication between you and Agreement State Program staff, if needed.

Background summary of the letter:

1. The NRCs Agreement State Program allows a State to assume regulatory authority for some nuclear materials, through an Agreement with the NRC.

2. WY began the process of becoming an Agreement State when, in February 2015, the State notified NRC of intent to apply for the program.

3. WYs draft application was received by NRC in October 2016

4. This request is going through an assessment and review process at NRC.

5. If the WY request is approved, the NRC would transfer authority for uranium recovery licensing to WY approximately mid-2018.

6. At that time, the NRC would no longer review applications or issue licenses; the agency will therefore no longer consult with Tribes, as it has done in the past under NEPA and NHPA

7. WY State regulations will govern the license review process and States are not required to comply with consultation requirements NEPA or NHPA.

8. NRC will transfer authority for existing licenses to The State of WY Future Actions:

1. External parties, including Tribes and the public will have an opportunity to comment on WY State proposed regulations for uranium milling.

• The following website has information on the process and links to the proposed rules: http://deq.wyoming.gov/lqd/resources/proposed-rules-regs/.

• Deadline for public comments is 5:00 PM MST March 13, 2017.

• Public comments can be submitted at http://lq.wyomingdeq.commentinput.com/

2. ASPB plans the following additional communication with Tribes

• Letter to interested Tribes when Wyoming submits its formal application (~June 2017)

• Letter to interested Tribes when NRC when publishes Federal Register Notice requesting comment on draft Wyoming Agreement and staff analysis of application.

(~December 2017/January 2018)

• Letter to Tribes when Agreement goes into effect and Wyoming assumes regulatory authority (~mid-2018)

Questions:

Are there other questions about the program?

Are there other steps NRC should take to communicate on this matter?

Contacts:

Obtain email to send ASPB contact information.