ML19257A580
| ML19257A580 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/19/1979 |
| From: | Ryan R NRC OFFICE OF STATE PROGRAMS (OSP) |
| To: | Jonathan Montgomery COLORADO, STATE OF |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8001040675 | |
| Download: ML19257A580 (3) | |
Text
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o UNITED STATES E
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j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION E
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 S
O DEC 191979 f tr. James L. Montgomery, Chairman Interorganizational Advisory Committee (Radiological Emergency Response Planning)
Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors Colorado Department of Health 4210 East lith Avenue Denver, CO 80220
Dear Jim:
This letter is in reply to your letter of June 25, 1979.
I apologize for the delay in replying but the press of Post-TMI business and rapidly changing developments in emergency planning and preparedness put us behind in answering our correspondence in a timely fashion.
Let ma respond to the numbered poirts in your letter of June 25, 1979 (copy enclosed) in the order in which you raised them.
1.
SANDIA Laboratories has generated many documents, " Contract NUREGs" we call them, dealing with accident consequences and exercise scenarios.
One of our goals has been to convert this information into useful, easy to read guidance in terms of exercise scenarios for testing nuclear facility, State and local government emergency plans. The task is not an easy one.
Uarren Hanson and Associates, a sub-contractor to SANDIA (and our Office oT Standards Development), has produced some work on this which has been sent to your Committee for review. Science Applications, Inc. (SAI),
another SANDIA sub-contractor has produced some draft work on a single scenario, as you and the Committee are aware.
You have been asked to comment on the SAI work directly to the SAI representative in charge of the work, Mr. Richard Starostecki. He hasn't received many comments from members of the Committee.
We intend that SANDIA and its sub-contractors complete the work on an exercise scenario guideline document. Along with other reports, the report you mentioned will be used as background information in developing an easy to under-stand scenario document.
2.
All States and local governments needing radiological emergency response plans have been advised by the enclosed Federal Register Notice of the Commission's endorsement of NUREG-0396/ EPA 520/1-78-016 and the Commission's instructions to the staff to incorporate the concepts of this document 8001040
James L. Montgomery into existing NRC guidance documents such as NUREG-75/lll. Additionally, a proposed NRC rule on emergency planning soon to be promulgated for public comment in the Federal Register, also addresses the concepts of NUREG-0396. The EPZ concept would probably not have to be in place until January 1,1981, or 180 days after the effective date of the rule, whichever is sooner.
Several States are already establishing the EPZ concept and we encourage all to do so promptly.
3.
Enclosed is a summary of the NRC/ FEMA meeting of September ll,1979, and a copy of a joint letter signed by the NRC Chairman and the Director of FEMA, which was sent to DOE, HHS (HEW), EPA and DOT, the other 4 Federal agencies involved in this interagency effort with the States. The clear definition of FEMA and NRC roles in the radiological emergency response field is under development and is evolving. You will be made aware of these developments as they take place.
4.
You have been given the opportunity to review the latest draft of the SAI Scenario and will be provided an opportunity to review future drafts.
5.
FEMA has committed itself in principle to comprehensive training programs.
FEMA is currently examining training programs and needs. NRC will continue to work with FEMA in the training area.
But FEMA needs time to establish its goals, objectives, and resource requirements in this and other areas.
6.
Enclosed are copies of all significant documents we have on the evolving thyroid blocking drug program (Chairman's letter to HEW; FDA approval of New Drug Application (NDA) to Carter-Wallace; December 15, 1978 Federal Register Notice; Carter-Wallace document). A Federal Register Notice concerning the approved NDA will soon be issued.
In addition, NRC, in conjunction with FDA, has initiated a cost / risk /
benefit study to determine the feasibility for a Potassium Iodide program.
It is expected that this study will be completed around the beginning of the year.
7.
We have requested FEMA to look into the usefulness and feasibility of this suggestion.
8.
Dr. Salomon's report, NUREG-0553 is now out for public comment (copy of Federal Register Notice enclosed). The comment period expires 12/31/79 and the NRC Staff will analyze these comments and make formal recommendations for solutions to the funding problem to the Commission and to FEMA by March 1980. With respect to qualified Federal consultants, we expect that FEMA will move forward on this front.
9.
In the current NRC effort to update emergency preparedness at the licensee, State and local levels, we are emphasizing the need for communications capability to assure notification of State and local government authorities 1689 W
James L. Montgomery and the exchange of information. The details of what system (s) will be acceptable to assure that these requirements are met still have to be worked out. We are working with other concerned offices within NRC on this matter.
- 10. See comments on item 8.
As far as we are concerned, any funding scheme proposed would cover all nuclear facilities and we intend to address D00 and DOE and other facilities in the formal recommendations to the Commission and FEMA.
11. We think that FEMA should assume the '.ead coordinating role in Federal emergency response training programs.
- 12. Enclosed is a copy of the NRC response to the referenced GA0 report.
- 13. The Emergency Planning Zone concept is being implemented.
(See response to item 2).
In summary, please recognize that several of the above items need to be completed, but we can say that action has been taken and is ongoing on all of them.
Sincerely, Robert G. Ryan, Director Office of State Programs Enclosures as stated.
cc w/o enclosures :
Frank Mancuso, CT Sherwood Davies, NY Aubrey V. Godwin, AL George W. Brower, NY E. Erie Jones, IL William M. Bjorenson, IA J. Howard Proctor, AL Betty J. McClelland, WA Leland J. Daly, WA John J. Kearns, CA Teresa A. Mack, MN Tom Rehm, EDO 1689 232