ML19256E696
| ML19256E696 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/25/1979 |
| From: | Ryan R NRC OFFICE OF STATE PROGRAMS (OSP) |
| To: | Traylor F COLORADO, STATE OF |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7911150030 | |
| Download: ML19256E696 (2) | |
Text
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OCT 2 51979 Ref: SA/J0L Frank Traylor, M.D., Executive Director Department of Health 4210 East lith Avenue Denver, Colorado 80220
Dear Dr. Traylor:
This is to confirm the discussion Mr. Lubenau held with you and Messrs.
Hazie and Montgomery following our review and evaluation of the Colorado radiation control program. The review covered the principal administrative and technical aspects of the program. This included: an examination of the program's funding and personnel resources; licensing, inspection and erforcement activities; emergency response capabilities for agreement materials; and the status of the State's radiation control regulations.
As a result of our review of the State's program and the routine exchange of information between the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the State of Colorado, the staff believes that the Colorado program for regulation of agreement material is adequate to protect the public health and safety and compatible with the Commission's program.
The Colorado radioactive materials program is sufficiently large and complex that it would benefit from automated data processing (ADP) support.
Currently, over 360 licenses are administered. Tracking of license applications, deficiency 'atters, responses, draft licenses, issuance of licenses, issuance of renewal notices, categorization and scheduling of inspections, and following-up enforcement correspondence is performed manually. Uranium mill licenses, which are inherently complex and remire coordination with numerous other government agencies are tracked man ally. ADP setvices should result in streamlining office operations and releasing professional end clerical personnel for other duties. We recommend steps be taken to provide the radiation control program with such services. -
We have commented on the need to augment professional staff in each of the previous three reviews. The present staff level is 1.6 person-years per 100 licenses which includer over 2-1/4 person-years expended for uranium mill licenses.
If the uranium mill license effort is deleted, the staff level ts 1 person-year per 100 licenses compared to our guideline of 1.0 to 1.5 for similar licenses. Our review of licensing actions indicated that if a high 1337 280 vomso 030
a Frank Traylor, M.D. quality of licensing work is to be maintained, further professional support must be provided. Compliance program efforts have also been adversely affected.
The inspection backlog has increased from 18 to 62 during this review period.
We recognize the search for old radium sites in 1979 had an impact, but the need for additional professional staff support is evident. We recommend action be taken to augment the radiation control prcgram professional staff.
Enclosed for your information is a copy of a letter to Mr. Hazle with comments regarding technical aspects of the program.
I am also enclosing a recond copy of each letter which should be placed in your State Public Document Room or otherwise made available for public review.
I would appreciate your review of our recommendations and your comments.
I appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to Mr. Lubenau during his meeting with your staff.
Sincerely, i[+f6 lk &
Robert G. Ryan,. Director Office of State Prograrrs
Enclosure:
Letter to A. J. Hazie cc:
A. J. Hazle NRC Public Document Room, w/ encl.
State Public Document Room w/ encl.
1337 281
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