ML19214A017

University of Massachusetts Lowell, Review of Physical Security Plan in Support of License Renewal

ML19214A017
Person / Time
Site:	University of Lowell
Issue date:	08/27/2019
From:	Edward Helvenston Research and Test Reactors Licensing Projects Branch
To:	Prosanta Chowdhury Univ of Massachusetts - Lowell
Helvenston E, NRR/DLP, 415-4067
References
EPID L-2015-RNW-0001
Download: ML19214A017 (4)

Text

August 27, 2019 Dr. Partha Chowdhury, Director Nuclear Radiation Laboratory University of Massachusetts-Lowell One University Avenue Lowell, MA 01854

SUBJECT:

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL - REVIEW OF PHYSICAL SECURITY PLAN IN SUPPORT OF LICENSE RENEWAL (EPID NO. L-2015-RNW-0001)

Dear Dr. Chowdhury:

As part of its review of the University of Massachusetts Lowells (UMLs) application for renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-125 for the UML Research Reactor (UMLRR) dated October 20, 2015 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)

Accession No. ML16042A015), as supplemented, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff performed a review of the UMLRR physical security plan (PSP), Revision 9, dated September 13, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17261A211), which UML stated that it implemented as of that date.

The NRC staff had reviewed the PSP, Revision 7, which had been previously submitted to NRC by letter dated January 13, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15015A016) and determined that additional information was needed to complete its review of the PSP. Therefore, by letter dated July 14, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17152A209), the NRC staff issued a request for additional information (RAI) regarding the PSP. UML responded to the NRC staffs RAI by letter dated August 7, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17222A071), and included the PSP, Revision 8, in its response. UML subsequently submitted the PSP, Revision 9, with additional minor corrections, to the NRC by letter dated September 13, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17261A211).

The NRC staff has completed its review of the UMLRR PSP, Revision 9, and concludes that it is in compliance with the applicable regulations contained in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 73, Physical Protection of Plants and Materials, as referenced in the NRC Regulatory Guide 5.59, Standard Format and Content for a Licensee Physical Security Plan for the Protection of Special Nuclear Material of Moderate or Low Strategic Significance, Revision 1, issued February 1983 (ADAMS Accession No. ML100341301); and, that it incorporates the site-specific compensatory security measures discussed in confirmatory action letter (CAL) No. NRR-03-009, dated October 22, 2003 (ADAMS Accession No. ML032720645),

which were put in place after the attacks of September 11, 2001, to enhance security at research reactors (the NRC staff notes that it previously closed CAL No. NRR-03-009 by letter dated May 5, 2008 (ADAMS Accession No. ML081080042)).

We request that UML continue to implement its approved PSP. If you have any questions regarding the NRC staffs review, please contact me at 301-415-4067 or by electronic mail at Edward.Helvenston@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Edward Helvenston, Project Manager Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch Division of Licensing Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-223 License No. R-125 cc: See next page

University of Massachusetts - Lowell Docket No. 50-223 cc:

Mayor of Lowell City Hall Lowell, MA 01852 Mr. Leo Bobek Reactor Supervisor University of Massachusetts - Lowell One University Avenue Lowell, MA 01854 Department of Environmental Protection One Winter Street Boston, MA 02108 Jack Priest, Director Radiation Control Program Department of Public Health Schrafft Center, Suite 1M2A 529 Main Street Charlestown, MA 02129 John Giarrusso, Planning and Preparedness Division Chief Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency 400 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01702-5399 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter Attention: Ms. Amber Johnson Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Maryland 4418 Stadium Drive College Park, MD 20742-2115

ML19214A017 *concurred via email NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DLP/PRLB/PM*

NRR/DLP/PROB/LA*

NRR/DLP/PRLB/BC NRR/DLP/PRLB/PM NAME EHelvenston NParker GCasto EHelvenston DATE 8/13/2019 8/13/2019 8/27/2019 8/27/2019