ML19247B585
| ML19247B585 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/18/1979 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | List R NEVADA, STATE OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19247B578 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7908100197 | |
| Download: ML19247B585 (3) | |
Text
b jt UNITED STATES I h f?
E NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION i TY E' A E
W ASHIN GTO N. D.C. 20555
%%W July 18,1979 OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Robert List Governor of Nevada State Capitol Carson City, Nevada 89710
Dear Governor List:
Thank you for your letter of July 10, 1979, with Governors Ray and Riiloy concerning the transportation and disposal of low-level nuclear waste.
We are pleased to see that States with similar concerns have come together to address them in a unified and effective manner.
We believe that your joint letter represents a needed action. Your position is clear to t;he Federal regulatory agencies involved and should also be clear to low--
level waste generators and shippers.
It facilitates the NRC's abilit:y to deal with these concerns collectively and serves as a vehicle thrc2 ugh which the NRC can vork with the States it an effectite and cooperativ.e way. We want to work with tne States on a unified basis to bring about some of the regulatory improvements which are outlined beiow.
Our augmented program to bring about improvements in the packaging, transport and disposal of low-level nuclear wastes includes the four points listed in your letter in addition to others.
The steps called for in your letter are addressed as folicws-1.
Tne disDatch of a trained team of inscectors to perfom regular s te ir Dections of both the sour:e generators an: :ne ccliec*crs cf i
nu:iea waste.
Tnese insoections mus incluce tre c:enire of contaTners.
Trained NRC and DDT inspectors will perform such inspectior.s on a periodic basis.
The greatest emphasis on package makeup vrill be diretcted a; waste generators. We suggest that these inspectors be aucmented by the Agreement State inspectors where appropriate.
We will work with the Agreement States to arrange for these inspections and will keep you infor=ed of our progress and of steps that you might take to help us in cc~:leting such arrangements.
Selected containers will be opened crir.; the course of inspection.
- should point cu: :na some waste cCie:: Ors are not ecuipped to have packages cperec at thei-faciliti es
,,.ncn encangering personnel or risking contamination of f acilities and
- nei-licenses crohibit such activities.
In these cases, v.e will need
- ; certify cualifiec facilities to wnich the sciec;ed ccr.:siners may be
- a er f or opening, inspection, ard repackaging.
7908100(9 7
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The lianorable Robert List 2.
The consistent and uncompromising enforcement of sanctions imoosed whenever violations are discovered.
Enforcement action will be taken, in conjunction with C1T and the Agreement States, where violations of packaging and transportation regulations are found. We consider this a necessary ingredient to our inspection and enforcement program.
3.
The submission of monthly reports to the three respective states detailing the activities of the team, includina the number and locations of insoections and the findings of the team.
All reports of inspection and enforcement will be made public as they become available. They will be forwarded to the affected and interested States by our Office of State Programs.
4.
The issuance of a joint announcement by the NRC and the DDT to all source generators of nuclear waste nationwice containTug cetails of tne new clan.
Such issuance wili guarantee maximum imcact.
An announcement is being prepared for issuance by September 1,1979.
It will be coordinated with DOT.
5.
Tne plan must be implemented by September 1,1979.
Wi t', the exception of Item 4, which will be completed by September 1, all activities are under way.
In addition to these actions, the Co mission is taking further steps to bring about improvements.
Key to this effort is a rule change which tne staff is preparing for Comission consideration which would allow NRC to cirectly enforce DDT reculations at NRC licensee sites and thus sigr.ificantly upgrace inspection and enforcement actions in waste packag ng a.nd transportaticr.
Such a rule change would be suppiemented with new programs for i nspectinc transport activities and new enforcement criteria for violations of NRC-DUT shipping regulations.
We are also exploring ways to p-ovide training and. packaging infomation for waste generators.
These regulatory actions are being supplemented by investigations leading to improved design of Type A and other low specific activity material packages, which constitute the bulk of packages shipped to low-level burial grounds.
- ur letter also mentions the tir.ely implementation of a nationEl waste a.agement program.
The NRC nas su: ported the recc=endations of the
- r:eragency Revi er, Group that the Department of Energy shouic cevelo; a nati: Nice program aimed at astabiisning regional capacity for diso: sal
' 1:.,-l evei racioactive waste.
We nave an active program underway ::
ce/eir a co crenensive set cf regulations, guices anc stancarcs for the b583C8
The Honorable Robert List disposal of low-level waste and we expect that such an active program could serve to facilitate the development of regional sites.
of licensed sites.of such criteria has been noted as a major impediment to the de The absence corment late next year. Draft regulations will be available for public We intend to explore ways by which NRC can play an active role in the for providing means to dispose of their nuclear wastes. encourage For example, we vials and will work with the medical research establishmen them licensable options for safe disposal of this kind of waste.
Again, we believe the States of South Carolina, Nevada, and Washington have taken an important step in dealing with problems of waste transport and disposal en a unified basis.
an effective and cooperative ranner.It will allow us to work together in Sincerely, crisin21 sis"*d W Jcteph2 U "
Joseph M. Hendrie Chairman The Honorable Dixy Lee Ray cc:
Governor of Washington The HonoraDie Richarc n.
F.i l ey Governor of South Ca clina USE309
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