ML19263C001
| ML19263C001 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/15/1979 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Bancroft M, Nader R, Pollock R AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7901310022 | |
| Download: ML19263C001 (47) | |
Text
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MC P UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
!n, WASHINGTON, O. C. 20555 J/ j
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January 15, 1979 CHAIRMAN Mr. Ralph Nader Mr. Richard Pollock Mr. Michael Bancroft 2000 P Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036 Gentlemen:
Your letter of August 15, 1978 posed a number of questions about events following Chicago Mayor Bilandic's December 1977 announcement of a joint study by his office and the NRC concerning highly enriched uranium (HEU) shipments through 0' Hare Airport.-
To help clarify these matters, I have enclosed two' reports prepared by the NRC staff. One of these highlights events since the Mayor's December 1977 announcement and the other discusses safety and safeguards of HEU shipments through O' Hare Airport.
In addition, Tet me offer the following observations.
The NRC staff assembled a study team which was ready to start fieldwork in Chicago in December 1977. However, work could not commence until the City of Chicago approved the scope and plan of action.or the study. These were formally proposed to the Mayor in a letter dated January 19, 1978, from NRC's Director of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
The joint short-tenn study was never conducted because Mayor Bilandic decided against proceeding with it. The Mayor believed NPC's ongoing urban transportation study could satisfactorily address the sociological factors which were of primary concern to Chicago officials.
In a letter cated February 23, 1978, replying to NRC's January 19 proposal, the Mayor
- stated,
".....it would seem illogical to attempt to push through a short term (30-day study) which would be unique to Chicago at a time when the major national urban environtuental impact statement is already under active development by your Agency and the Federal Government acting in consort with state and local governments."
Mayor Bilandic's representatives were invited to attend related meetings of the Ad Hoc Task Group formed by Sandia Laboratories to discuss the working draft assessment of the environmental impact of transporting radionuclices in urban environs and an NRC workshop dealing with the transport of radio-active materials in cities. The meetings were held in New York City on July 24 and 25.
Mr. James A. Meany of the Chicago Department of Health attended the meeting of the Ad Hoc Task Group.
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS
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P00R QUAUTY PAGES 790133og Q
Mr. Ralph Nader W. Richard Pollock Mr. Michael Bancroft With regard to your recommendation for a generic environmental impact statement on air shipments, I can only restate that on June 2, 1975, the Commission first announced its intent to prepare a generic environmental impact statement to support its rule-making proceeding concerning the air transportation of radioactive materials including HEU (40 FR 23768). That document was published in December 1977 as NUREG-0170, Final Environmental Statement on the Transportation of Radioactive Material by Air and Other Modes.
On March.3, 1977, the Commission also announced its intent to prepare a separate generic environmental impact statement on the transportation of radioactive material near, in, and through, a large densely populated area (42 FR 12271). This second generic environmental impact statement is currently being developed. The Ad Hoc Task Group (of which Mr. Pollock was a member) has helped Sandia develop an environmental assessment upon which NRC's generic environmental impact statement will be based.
Further-more, there will be continued opportunity for public participation as work progresses on this environmental impact statement through the draft stage.
Among other things, when the draft statement is available, the public will be notified through the Federal Reaister and invited to comment on it.
The Commission is also conducting a rule-making proceeding to upgrade physical protection requirements for significant quantities of strategic special nuclear materials in fixed sites and transportation. On July 5, 1977, the Commission published proposed rules for public comment (42 FR 34310).
Extensive public comments were received and considered. As a result, on August 9,1978 the Commission published revised proposed amendments for public comment (43 FR 35321).
I should also point out that on February 9, 1976 the Commission announced its conclusion that the air transportation of special nuclear material under currently effective regulations need not, and should not, be suspended, or otherwise limited, while the review process noticed on June 2,1975 is being conducted (41 FR 5627). Although we will continue to review this matter in cooperation with the City of Chicago and interested State and local governments, the Commission has not reached any new conclusion at this time.
With regard to air shipment of HEU through Chicago's O' Hare Airport, there is no Federal or local regulation prohibiting it and information reviewed and evaluated by the staff to date has not shown that such activity, as currently regulated, is inimical to the common defense and security or ccnstitutes an unreasonable risk to public health and safety.
- However, as a result of v yor Biiandic's announcement, thdre has been a ce fac:c a
suspension of such activity through O' Hare Airport since December 1977.
Mr. Oaioh Nader Mr. Ricnard Pollock Mr. Michael Bancroft In closing, let me make the following comments in direct response to questions in your August 15 letter:
1.
Members of the NRC staff worked with Chicago officials to develop the schedule and scope of work for a short-tenn study as reflected in NRC's January 19 letter to the Mayor.
The proposed action plan called for coordination with the Illinois Congressional delegation and State officials in the fourth week, after members of the NpC and-Mayor's office staffs had completed data collection ano drafted a preliminary report.
Actual work on the joint short-term study could not commence without the Mayor's approval. On February 23, 1978, the Mayor decided against proceeding with the short-tenn study at that time.
2.
Since this entire matter was a Chicago initiative from the outset, it was considered appropriate for the City to continue to take the lead responsibility for all public announcements. However, NRC has responded fully to all requests for information.
In retrospect, NRC should have requested Chicago to release a statement concerning the Mayor's decision or released such a statement ourselves.
3.
Section 204(b)(2) of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 requires the NRC staff to review the safety and safeguards of all facilities and materials licensed under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, associated with the processing, transport and handling of nuclear materials.
Recent staff reviews. covering shipment of HEU are discussed in an enclosed staff report.
4.
There is no regulatory ban on HEU shipments through O' Hare Airport.
However, shippers have not used O' Hare Airport for HEU since the Mayor's announcement was issued in December 1977. NpC's memorandum of May 19, 1978, reminded all potential shippers of HEU about the Mayor's concerns, as promised in a letter from NRC to Mayor Bilandic, dated May 2, 1978.
5.
The NRC and Sandia Laboratories were in complete agreement concerning Chicago representation at the New York meeting of Sandia's Ad Hoc Task Group. However, Sandia Laboratories did not consider it necessary to formally expand membership in its Ac Hoc Task Group for its 'inal meeting in New York.
Instead, Sandia conducted that meeting as a public forum and invited Chicago representatives to participate.
.s City of Chicago sent a representative to tne meeting.
'<r. Ral pn Nader Mr. Richard Pollock Mr. Michael Bancroft 6.
In December 1977, at the request of Mayor Bilandic, NRC agreed to participate with the City of Chicago in a joint short-term study.
But Chicago officials were not able to identify specific issues of concern at that time. As noted in NRC's letter to Mayor Bilandic, dated January 19,1978, NUREG-0170 appeared to address broad general concerns expressed by the Mayor's staff in a meeting with NRC staff members on December 15, 1977.
7.
Any' decision to change requirements governing the air shipment of HEU will depend upon the outcome of the overall review announced on June 2, 1975. The information presented in NUREG-0170 and the efforts of the Ad Hoc Task Group formed by Sandia Laboratories are parts of this review.
8.
The Commission did not dissolve the Task Force.
The City of Chicago decided not to go ahead with the study at that time. The Commission hopes that the City of Chicago will avail itself of opportunities for public comment on NRC's environmental documents to assure that concerns of its citizens are satisfactorily resolved.
In particular, there will be continued opportunities for 'public ccmment as work proceeds on NRC's generic environmental impact study on transportation of radioactive materials in urban environs.
The Commission appreciates your interest in these matters and invites your continued participation in its current reviews.
Sincerely,.
i Joseph M. Hendrie
Enclosures:
1.
NRC Staff Report on Chicago Events w/ Attachments 2.
NRC Staff Report on Safety and Safeguards of HEU Shipments
STATUS REPORT CHRONOLOGY AND STATUS OF JOINT CHICAGO-NRC REVIEW CONCERNING HIGH ENRICHED URANIUM SHIPMENTS THROUGH CHICAG0'S O' HARE AIRPORT AS OF AUGUST 25, 1978 Mayor Bilandic Expresses Concern On December 1,1977, Mayor Bilandic of Chicago released a public statement of concern about transportation of highly enriched uranium through O' Hare Ai rport. On December 2,1977, senior executives from the NRC staff met with Mayor Bilandic and agreed that no further shipments of highly enriched uranium would be made out of O' Hare Airport until the completion of a joint study by the Mayor's office and NRC (ref. attachment 1).
NRC Staff Grouc Formed On December 9,1977, NRC formed an interoffice group of about twenty professional staff to participate in a short term review concentrating C>-
i' upon aspects of high enriched uranium transportation unique to the Chicago y'[h area.
Meetino to Orcanize Joint Study On December 15, 1977 members of the NRC staff met in Chicago with Mr. Edward King, Deputy Commissioner of Health to discuss the joint study (ref. attachment 2).
NRC Letter to Mayor Bilandic On January 19, 1978, Clifford V. Smith, Jr., Director, NMSf, wrote a letter to. Mayor Bilandic outlining a plan of action to resolve the Mayor's concerns (ref. attachment 3).
Dr. Smith proposed an approach which he personally discussed with the Mayor in a meeting on January 20, 1978.
It consisted of the following:
A Short Term Study The NRC staff would participate in a 30-day review concentrating upon particular aspects of highly enriched uranium transportation unique to the Chicago area.
Briefino on Final Environmental Statement The NRC staff would brief Chicago officials on its Final Environmental Statement on the Transcortation of Racio-active Mater 1ai cy Air ano Otner Moces (NUREG-Oi70).
That statement was released in Decemcer 1977, and covers air transportation of radioactive material including packaging and related grounc transportation.
- NRC Office cf Nuclear Material Safety ENCLOSURE i and Safeguards
. Chicaco Particication in Urban Study Sandia Labs is performing for NRC an environmental assessment of the environmental :mpacts that result from the transport of radionuclides in densely populated areas.
New York City data will be used for model development and yield specific results; generic results applicable to any urban area will be obtained by mathematical analysis.
To assist in developing this assessment, bandia Labs formed an Ad Hoc Task Group including persons associated with Federal, State, and local government, academia, industry, and environmental activism.
Chicago representatives would be invited to attend meetings of the Ad Hoc Task Group.
Concress Notified On January 24, 1978, NRC's Director of Congressional Affairs sent copies of Dr. Smith's January 19 letter to Mayor Bilandic to the following interested members of Congress:
Senator John Glenn Senator Charles H. Percy Senator Adlai E. Stevenson, III Representative Abner J. Mikva Representative Dan Rostenkowski Briefina on NUREG-0170 On January 30, 1978, representatives from the NRC staff and Sandia Laboratories briefed senior Chicago officials on the NUREG-0170, final environmental statement on transportation of radioactive materials.
The Mayor's staff suggested that a similar briefing be given to Illinois State officials.
Accordingly, on February 13, 1978, the Director, NMSS sent a copy of NUREG-0170 to Attorney General Scott and a ~fered to arrange a briefing for him (ref. attachment 4).
Mavor Bilandic's Letter to NRC On Fe3ruary 23,1978, Mayor Bilandic wrote to the NRC Director of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (ref. attachment 5).
Following are major points in the Mayor's letter:
Chicaco Ccnsiders NUREG-0170 Inadecuate In his letter, Mayor Bilancic referred to the urban environmental factors not specifically censidered in NUREG-0170 and tnose raised by his staff whicn "are known to stress large segments of pcpulations residing in densely pcpulated ur:an environs."
. Chicaco Considers the Forthcomine Generic Statement on Urcan Environs More Acorocriate Than a Short Term Chicaco Unicue Study For Resolving the Issues Mayor Bilandic concurred in NRC's proposal that Chicago representatives be invited to attend meetings of the Ad Hoc Task Group formed by Sandia Laboratories to help in its environmental analysis of transportation in urban environs. Mayor Bilandic suggested that a generic environmental statement on transportation in urban environs may well address most, if not all, of the urban factors excluded from NUREG-0170 including concerns raised by his staff.
Consequently, he considers it "filogical" to attempt to push through a short term study unique to Chicago at this time..
Mayor Bilandic Recommends Use of Military Air Bases The Mayor endorse the idea of using military air bases or military sections of civilian-controlled joint use airports for the air shipment of high enriched uranium.
Invitation to Meetinos on Urban Study On March 22, 1978, Arthur R. Ducharme of Sandia Laboratories sent a letter to Mr. Edward F. King, the Mayor's representative, providing background information on the urban study and extending an invitation for Chicago representatives to attend the next Task Group meeting, tentatively planned for late May in New York City (ref. attachment 6).
NRC Letter to Mayor Bilandic Oa May 2,1978, NRC's Director of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, Dr. Clifford V. Smith, Jr., wrote to Mayor Bilandic responding to comments and recommendations contained in the Mayor's letter of February 23, 1978 (ref. attachment 7).
Following are main points in Dr. Smith's letter:
Acknowledces Chicaco Rejection of Short Term Study Unioue to Chicago Dr. Smith acknowledged that Mayor Bilandic no longer considered it desirable to do a short term study of factors unique to Chicago and preferred instead to have Chicago representatives attend meetings of the Sandia Laboratory Ad Hoc Task Grouc assessing trans-pertation of radionuclides in urban environs.
-4 Military Airfield Ouestion Referred to Executive Branch Dr. Smith informed Mayor Bilandic that the cuestions of military airfield use had been referred to the Executive Branch for consideration.
Shiocers Notified As promised in its May 2,1978 letter to Mayor Bilandic, NRC notified all potential shippers of high enriched uranium on May 19, 1978, about the Mayor's concerns and requested that they carefully coordinate any such shipments with Chicago authorities (ref. attachment 8)'.
Note: Although there is no federal or local regulation prohibiting air shipment of high enriched uranium through Chicago's O' Hare airport, there has been a de facto suspension of such activity since the Mayor's announce-ment d?EDecember 2,1977.
Invitation to Meetinas on Urban Study On June 13, 1978, A. R. Ducharme of Sandia Laboratories answered a letter from Mr. E. F. King, responding to his March 22, 1978 invitation.
The invitation to Chicago officiais to attend and participate in the New York meetings was reiterated (ref. attachment 9).
Chicaco Reoresentatives Invited to Meetino in New York On July 17, 1978, NRC's Executive Director for Operations wrote to Mayor Bilandic inviting representatives to attend meetings in New York related to an environmental assessment on transport of radionuclides in urban environs (ref. attachment 10).
Meetinos in New York City On July 24-25, 1978, Sandia Labcratories conducted, with public partici-pation, a meeting of the Ad Hoc Task Group advising on the development of Sandia's Environmental Assessment on Transport of Radionuclides in Urban Environs.
On the afternoon of July 25, 1978, the NRC staff conducted an informal workshop on the Sandia assessment and related regulatory issues.
(Mr. J. A. Meany, Chief Sanitation Officer, Department of Health, repre-sented the City of Chicago. Mr. Richard Pollock, Director, Critical Mass Energy Project (CMEP), is a member of the Sandia Task Group and spoke at bothmeetings.)
Attachments:
See p. 5
5-Attachments to Status Reoort 1.
City of Chicago Public Announcement dated December 2,1977.
2.
City of Chicago Meeting Agenda dated December 15, 1977.
3.
Letter to Mayor Bilandic from Clifford V. Smith, Jr. dated January 19, 1978, with six enclosures.
4.
Letter to Attorney General William J. Scott frem Clifford V. Smith, Jr.
dated February 13, 1978.
5.
Letter to Clifford V. Smith Jr. from Mayor Bilandic dated February 23, 1978.
6.
Letter to Edward F. King from A. R. DuCharme dated March 22, 1978, without enclosure.
7.
Letter to Mayor Bilandic frcm Clifford V. Smith, Jr. dated May 2,1978, with enclosure.
8.
Letter to Licensees from Robert F. Burnett dated May 19, 1978.
9.
Letter to Edward F. King from A. R. Ducharme dated June 13, 1978.
- 10. Letter to Mayor Bilandic from Lee V. Gossick dated July 17, 1978, with two enclosures.
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MICilAEL A. E al A Y C h h>,h.,15 8?e!sA,
CITY OF CHICAGO
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,r December 2, 1977 FOR IMMEDI ATE RELEASE Mayor Bilandic met today with senior members of the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Ccmmission (NRC) staff.
Ti.e Mayor and the NRC representatives agreed that no further shipments of high enriched uranium v.ould be made cut of O' Hare Airport until the completion of a joint study by the Mayor's Of fice and NRC.. Thi s study will be initiated prcmptly.
While NRC believes that these shipments are being made safely, it has agreed with Mayor Bilandic to restudy the situation.
At the Mayor's suggestion, the NRC agreed to invite Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, Senators Adlai Stevensen and Charles Percy and Illinois Attorney General William Scott, or their representatives as well as an official of the Illinois Department of Health to participate in the study.
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folicwing were present at a meeting on Dece=ber 15, 1977 The in the 3 card Roc = of the Depdrt=ent of Health regarding Uraniu=:
Edward F.* King,. Deputy Co==issioner, Depart =ent
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Gayle F.
Eaglund, Special Counsel to Mayor Silandic Robert F.
3urnett, Directer, Division of Safaguards,
- nited States Nuclear Regulatory Cc==ission
- C James F.
- e n ahue, Chief, Security & Investiga:icns
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Section, United States Nuclear Regulatory Cc==ission, Q.
Region III, Glen Ellyn, Illinois WC Jack A.
Eind, Chief, Safeguards Branch, Region !!!,
len Ellyn, Illinois Seb Erickson, Nuclear Regulatory Co==ission, Division cf Safeguards, (301) 427-4013 Dr. Ronald Fore =an, Toxicolegist, Depart =ent of
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Dece=ber 15, 1977 ATCH. 2
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Utt'AM i IVitl1 I M9'M?
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OF HEALTH Murrsy c 5t:vn M o-Commswoner tJam.. -
Richard J. Daley Center Edward :. K.inc, R.S.
ri ~. cilanc.ic Ch.icago, lik.ncis 60602 c,,y:y comm;wec,,
Pon.is rcR c:sCess:cu First organizing =eeting, Joint Study Grcup, Office of the P.ayer, and Nuclear Regul'atory Cer:tissien, Dece=ber 15, 1977 I.
Definitien cf =aterials as hasardous er ncn-hazardous A.
intrinsically hazardcus -- radiatien hazard.
B.
Extrinsic hazard -- subject to security threat.
C.
Ex' ' - d atica of cbjective and subjective i= pacts upon citizens in pcpulcus areas.
D.
'Ex=-idatien of eptions availabic to counteract int f'..<ic and extrinsic threats.
II.
Security Safeguards A.
- Over the road transpcration.
3.
Railroad C.
Airpor.
1)
Pre-aircraf t Icading 2)
Abcard, aircraft Cp icas To increase citizen safety and public health security.
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efinition cf legal resp nsibility A.
P.unici a1 e.cvern.ent 3!
State govern =ent C.
Federal gover. cent CmeAce - etN OF ?wE "1 Wit.:.
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s PO!!CS FOR DISCUSICN Cent.
V.
Need for regulations, local, state, federal.
VI.
Study conclusion.
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ut'ITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY CO?.i?.itsslON
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^"*f'jf JAN i S 1979 The H'onorable Michael A. Bilandic Mayor of Chicago
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Chicago, II.linois 60602
Dear Mr. Mayor:
During our discussions in Chicago en December 2,1977, it was agreed that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff would review the heal-h, safety and other envircnmental impacts associated with transportation of high enriched uranium througn the O' Hare Airport.
In a subsequent discussion with members of my staff, en December 15, 1977, Edward F. King, Deputy Ccmmissioner, Chicago Department of Health, also expressed a cesire.to review health, safety and safeguards imolications arising frem transportation of a much brcader range of nuclear materials over a wider geographical area.
Accordingly, I propese the"folicwing as a means of resolving these matters:
Ccnduct Short Term Study gaf an w**3 According to the joint agreement which we reached on ks December 2,1977, the NRC staff will lead a review con-centrating upcn ascects of.high enriched uranium tranj-pc.r ation unique to the Chicago area.
This review should take about 30 days and will include an assessment of the capabilities of Chicago area authorities to ccpe with incicents or accidents involving trans:ortation of high enriched uranium.
A list of study grcup participants is enciesed (enclosure 1) along wi-h an outline sc:pe of work (encicsure 2) and action plan (enclosure 3).
Briefine on Final Environmental Statement In ressense to the broader concerns ex:ressed by Mr. King on December 15, 1977, I have asked the NRC staff to prepare a briefing for Chicago officials en our Final Environmental e ter:al y
Staterent en the Transocrtaticn of Racicac :ve a
.-:r an: ::ner : ces U:URE3-:17.
. am releas n; na: s ;cy ne puci:c as a final envir:nmer. al sta ement c:verin; air trans:cr:ation of radioactive T.a erials, inclucing
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packacing and related grcund trans:ortaticn.
It reinforces
- a Cc.T. ission statement puciisnec in tne Fe ?ral :.ecister ATCH. 3
The Hencrabie Michael A. Bilandic.
on February 9, 1976 (41 FR 5627), concluding that the air transportation of special nuclear material, other than plutenium, under currently effective regulations needs not,
..and should not, be suspended or otherwise limited during the Commissicn's, continuing rulemaking proceedings.
Further-more, NUREG-0I70 covers normal and accident transport risks for urban population :enes.
In fact, a population density of 15.444 persens per square kilcmeter was used in MUREG-0170 to represent an extremely dense urban area for worst-case accident analysis.
A copy of the public notice of availability is enclosed (enclosure 4) along with tne announcement about the study published in the Federal Register en Fecruary 9,1975 (enciescre 5).
Copies o.f NUREG-0170 will be made available during the briefing for Chicago officials.
Chicaco Particication in Follow-en Environmental Assessment Except as noted above, MUREG-0170 does not specifically censider factors unique to the urban environment such as diurnal variaticn in population, convergence of transportation routes, shiaicing effects of buildings, or the effect of local meteorciogy en accident consequences.
A separate study specific to such censiderations is being conducted and will result in a separate environmental statement specific to such an urban envi ronment.
During their discussion on December 15, 1977, members of your
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staff expressed a desire to beccme more knowledgeable and involved in nuclear matters, particularly as they re' rete t-o transpcrtaticn of nuclear materials.
Accordingly, I prepose to have your representatives invited to join in meetings of an Ad Hoc Task Grcuo which is currently assessing the environmental imcact associated with transpcrtaticn of radienuclices in urcan envi rens.
The Ad Mcc Task Group was fcrmed by Sandia Laboratcries.
Sandia was selected by the NRC staff to perform an environmental impact statement on transportation of radicnuclides in urban environs.
The broadly based Ad Hoc Task Grcup includes persons associated with government (local, state, and federal), incustry, academia, and environmental activist groups.
Thus far, they have held meetings in New York City, Arlingtcn, Virginia, and Baltimore, Maryland.
I have asked that ycur c## ice ce informed cf the time and ciace of their Spring,1973 meeti ;
and your recresentatives te invited to attend.
I have a'sc encicsed a copy of our formal announcement accut this stu:y.
puclistec in :ne Federal Recister in March,1977 (enciosure 5;.
Thu Honorable Michael A. Bilandic
- I Recort on Transoortation of Radioactive Material in Illinois Currently, the State of Illinois is obtaining information on
-a centinuing basis about the transportaticn of radioactive materials in Illinois through a joint Federal-State program.
The MRC has provided portable instrumentation tb the-StEte for monitoring radioactive material being transported on the highways within the State.
In June,1975, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued a report on surveillance of radicactive materials in transport in Illinois.
This surveillance program was perfo'rmed for the NRC and the U.S. Department of Transportation (00T). The purpose of the contract was to establish a program between the State of Illinois, NRC and 007 to cbtain information regard-ing the transpcrtation of radioactive materials within the State of Illinois.
Philip N. Brunner, Chief, Division of Radiological Health, acted as the state supervisor of the program.
My staff will provide your office with the 1975 report on that program, entitled Tratecortaticn of Radioactive t'aterial in Illinois.
The NRC staff is ready to start th'ese actions as soon as we receive your approval.
I hope that these actions will resolve your cencerns so that transportation of high enriched uranium can resume through the O' Hare airport, under currently effective NRC and 00T regulations, as scon as we complete our short term stucy/
Sincerely, orignal signed bz, Clifford V. Smi th, Jr., Director Office of tiuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
Enclosures:
As stated-e 9
TASX FORCE TO REVIEW LICE!! SED HIGP ENRICHED URAtlIU 1 SHIP!'EitTS THROUGH O'EARE AIRPORT Particicants Director: Robert F. Burnett, flRC, Director, Division of Safeguards Chicaco-area Advisor: Dr. Philip F. Gustafson, Director'of Ynvi'ronmental
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Impact Studies, Argonne National Laboratory and Vice-Chaiman, Illinois Ccmmission on Atcmic Energy NRC Washincton Staff Particicants:
Robert F. Barker, Chief, Transportation and Produr,tg Standards Branch Frank Brittell, Consultant, Cernander Los Angeles Police Department (Retired)
Jay B. Durst, Field Evaluation Section, Division of Safeguards '.
Robert A. Erickson, Chief, Test and Evaluation Branch, Division of Safeguards Robert L. Fonner, Attorney, Office of the Executive Legal Director C. Vernon Hodge, Transportation Specialist, Division of Fuel Cycle and fiaterial Safety Donald J. Kasun, Senior Plant Protection Analyst, Physical Security Licensing Franch, Division of Safeguards Charles E. Mac0cnald, Chief, Transportation P. ranch, Division of Fuel Cycle and fiaterial Safety Richard G. McComick, Acting Assistant Director, Division of Safeguards Inspection -
Harry M. !!itchell, Senior Systems Analyst, Contingency Planning Branch, Division of Safeguards William A. Nixon, Senior Chemical Engineer, Fuel Prccessing anc Fabricatien Brancn ENCLOSUh2 1 (ltr to Mayor Eilandic 1/19/78)
2_
r MRC ',fashincton Staff Particicants continued:
Donald A. Nussbaumer, Assistant Director, Division of Fuel. Cycle and Material Safety Sheldon A. Schwartz, Assistant Director, Office of State Psograms Eugene Soarks, Information Systems Section, Division of Safeguards
'Gordon N. Spies, Field Evaluation Section Division of Safeguards William J. Ward, Investigator, Division of Safeguards Inspection NRC Chicaco-area Particicants: (Office of Inscection and Enforcement, Region III, Glen Silyn, Illinois)
John A. Hind, Chief, Safeguards Branch James F. Donahue, Chief, Security and Investigations Section Other Particicants (As determined by !'ayor's office) 9 e
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4 CUTLINE OF PURPOSE AND SCCPE FOR REVIE'el 0F HIGH ENRICHED URANIUM SHIP"ENTS Purcose:
To review and report on public health, safety and safeguards aspects of NRC licensed high enriched uranium shipments through O' Hare Aircert.
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Scoce:
Nuclear Paterial: Uranium metal or compounds enriched to 20% or greater in the U-235 isotoce.
Tyce of Transcort Air Road Geocrachic Area 0' Hare Airport Roads and highways in and out Potential Hazards Chemical Radiological Conventional explosives and weapons associated with attempted theft or sabotage Accravatina Factors to be Considered Meteorology
- Diurnal effects Traffic conditions'
- Shipner: duration Accidents (collision, fire, air crash)
Attemoted theft or sabotage f
uit catinc racters to be Censicered i
Feceral regulations -
Federal Inscection and Enforcement
- ltunicipal, Ccunty, State anc Federal awareness and ca:arilities for contingercy and enercency operations.
ENCLCS"RE I (ltr to Mayer Eilandic 1/19/7S}
CINLUSUKL J RE'/IEW OF FIGH ENRICFED URANILH SHIPMENTS ACTION PLAN Es_timate_d _Iima
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Acticn To CoEclete
- Establish Task Force
- Action Complet?d
- Distribute background material to
- Action Ccmoleted participants
- Establish NRC staff responsibilities
- Action Completed for collection of data concerning puclic health and safety
- 1.
NRC data 2.
Chicago-unique data
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a.
Police and Fire Department awareness b.
Contingency plans c.
Itaps, routes, shipping data, etc.
- Coordinate approach.vith Chicago officials
- Action Pending
- Collect Chicago-uni 4ue data
- One week
- Draft report
- One week
- Coordinate draft within NRC and "ayne's office
- One week
- Coordinate draft with outside agencies
- One week
- Prepare final report and arrange for joint
- One week release by NRC ar.d the City of Chicago ENCLOSURE 3 (ltr to Mayor Bilandic 1/19/75) d I< -
l
7590-01 '"~'~~~""
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In i s advance notice of rulemaking prcceeding published in the Fcderal
~
?.egister en June 2,1975, (40FR23763), the lluclear Regulatory C : ission c.:ted that a generic environ = ental i= pac: statement would bd prep.arec en O.ne air transp rtation o radioactive caterials, incluc.ing packaging and r
re'.a ad ground transportation. Althougn the statement was to be cirected a
air trans;cr:ation, other transporta:icn =0ces - land and water -
.iere to be considered in light of the requirement of the National Environmental Folicy Ac: of 1959 (NE?A) that the relative c:s: and benefi-
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Tr.a statemen:.e:as : be generic in nature, assessing the i= pact frc all
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re Fursucn: to the Na-icnal Environmental ?clicy Act Of 1959 and the 0..missice.'s regulations in 10 C.R ? art 51 " Licensing and Reguia::c5' Folicy s v. s.,. w.. o :.
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.:velopment issued a draft environmental statement en trans;;r a-
- icn in ltrch, 1975. After consideratica, of the 23 letters of cc: men:
received, frc the public a,nd frc federal, s ate and local agencies, a
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.e ENCLOSURE a (ltr to Ma.vor Bilandic 1/19/75)
?
Vices on th:s matter. :o;cther
- im Ter pluten:u=. other than in medical the suppert:n; bans for m 6 dews, were egy::,3, gn, =g;,; 3g 7,;;,;;,e 23. 33; q..,
invited to be su::m:.ta! to the Camm2 haard:us by =:st of the co== enters.
,""9,,R ston by July 2.1375.
the :: csuon ci conunued 2:r sni:: ment at l-Af ter censiderat:en of the c:mments the present n=e au :een :: rec;:re by recc ved and o;ncr inicrmat.:n and fac-Puo. ! H ~3. enac:cd Augus; S. ;3*5. ;t PART *!- PACKACING OF RACICAC*:VE
- ors discussed below. the Ccmm:ssion ' as prov;aes. a=ong other th:.ags. :nat Y AT ERf At.
FC7 TRANSPORT M40 rea!*rmed its ten:20ve conc UsiCn !ct S.e vue:est Reg %atcry 0 m..:sstos snail TRA JPCRIATICN OF RAD:OACTIVE out m the notice publahe<l. the 7t:-
t.c: -ense r.nr sm:me=:s := si ::::s:cr: of M ATE:UAL UNCER CERTAIN CO.*4 CI-cxAr. Rtcts:En ou.*une 2.1375, n 'h stuuntam :n any :sem. v.etner encr::. :m.
- '***.**8'"*N*"'""'*
P, Sat s.'.7 ;.u::naum in any,.07:. ess-TIC NS respect to speemt nucicar materu'Li erce Psit? T3-PHYSICAL PeOTECTIC'l
'ot".er than plutonh...t t!=t is not :en-
- unes :n a :r.ecies: cee::e aes:gnee for :=c:.
CF SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL tamed in a mai.ieal devlee designcd 3r entua4 numan aps.:ca. ten :s n:s sua:ee: :o individual human app 12ca::on),
taas restr::: ten. rn:s resin:nca sac se is Packaging and Tronsoortation of Scecial 8r~ C "*-'"8-Twenty-m-comments
- vere rece: red
- ras:.:m 2' W';'*r **:
.4ue: ear Material by Air: Continuation of ston cernaea to ::e :ote Commntee on Shi;:ments Curing Pencency of Rule on the quer.tiert of W.e Cammision s Atom:c Z:erer of the Canness :.s: a sa e interint evaluation act out :1
'c June 2 contuser tas been cove:c;e4 ::: tes:e4 Masung Proceeding
. not:cc. -
un:ch stu aos ru;ture u=:er er:sn au tory C:mm: sten puchshed in the Fro. -
3,y*h,a,.7",*"[e ~ts recetre*5' "iI:ch repre. * *^a"*a ***r*t= g am'B'ar*?**: " ' * '-
On June 2.1975. the Nuclear Regul:r.
i r
spectrum rs en the zur. Erc:stt:t 40 FR.3763 a notice that it was itutl.ating a ruiemaiting pro.
suoject at issue. did not :: resent any new Should such cert:.". cations be =ade in infor: nation that would support the sus.
the future, they wculd cf course dem-ccedin; concern:ng the air transpor:n.
pens;on of or other li=ttations on the att ons*. rate the absence of any cause !:r tion ol radicactive matenals, incluo:n*
the healm concerns put far vard in the IFUMPONE3CU O',
- I'#C 3I U,,C'*3*.
NoYm c nA
- packs:::nr. ':n:h a view to the pess;ble amenu:nent cf its regulations in 10 CF".
matenal.
New Y:rrs cen:entiens regarding the Parts 71 and 73. adepted pursuant to The Attorney General of the State cf poss;bni:7 of ter or:st acuvat:rs do a;: ply the Atomic Ener;y Act of 1954. as New York subm:tted h:s v:e r tha*. se ecuany to h:th enrienec uran:::s :25 and arnended. *nterested persens viere invited transportation of special nuclear mate.
plu*ca:um. F.o wever. New Yers nas 'aded
'o su=rt ectnments and surgestiens to rial should be suspenuNi pencan; c 9-to show Cat 12 trans:c*tsuen at: as.
the Crmmisslun by Au;u.st 1 1375.
pletion of the rule :nasm ; crocee.w; sec:2:ed ground trans rt are anerency In the same nonca the Cc:rmission and the accompanymie enytronmentai more vulneracle to s=h a:::v;;:ss :".an nublished W inter::n ev1ilustien of the impact statement. The onses f or h:s "Ic y ahernauve modes of transpor:anc : that-kuest:On of cherher its curren: re;uin.
tre-e contamed in n!"idat t*s sub:nttted ut Ofy be avadable. Inseed.1:r transporu.
217,,,.m s eya.can: advanges C
an act:en :nstituted by he S: ate of Nc v
- ens a;;oeung atr transportation of spe.
York aga:n.st the Commis< ton 0:ul se.ver.tl
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..%.y go.* e ar-a c' o
~1 States Q trtet Court Mr tha So.O Nm can 3, q.ogg"iy e g;,s o.,m 33 ~,
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m l.s...t o f...~e n *. t 1.'v-m.*.. Dietr:et of Nc r Yori: -a9me.
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por: unites !cr the!: or sc:s of sabo'tage c l.... eu w
t:on as o the safcty and recitn*y of a:.
other thm *s. an injune* ton npttvt %*
are reduced. Once in ce air s;ecial nu.
< h mm e". : of radioact:ye matenal, there SU18'C2 Of,!Cen5CS DCT*"J'U"? (~n:W ' 't I cletr ~atenals are s:gnmcan*' *ess n;1..
tv ur and relateri conn ~tm:: t: neurt nerstle to h::acemg than is the case c:-
- ns no !cund basis !cr re';u
- ring the sus, pcmion cf r 4ngmen'.t of spee:al nu.
of pluto um and other M: cess! nuclear surface modes of transperun:n_ nese.
adJan:2 es are.et de=castra:{y cu:.
r: car mat:nal. The Commission s tenta-mater:als frem. in. and over the C:ty and
+
- "33[",Y 3,,,7,Mers c. u 22...sh::m.ent
" * *
- D me g7ater medhy me su.
tne craluation toc:c into account the Sire of New Yert and the United States
- ^
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. - ;i-y;
!ellowt::g facto-s:
and i:s ter-: tor es py* ";,jl.ey. as,.-...w; "- - '- - --
g g4-,m In :nore than 23 years of.si:!; ping spe.
- :e s.adaattts :Med by the State of Ne'v 1*'., eentended that air sh::=ent cf truck.
c:21 nue; car mater:al. :nc!ucin: pluto *
.uh med.s enda.ge s ce I. sh u.,d be noted tha 2e Uni:ad mum. in civd:an aircraf t, there have h of Lw YorX ctuzens in tr.o ways:
been no air accidents :nvolvin-the ma-
- 1. De possits! y of an aircraf* ace!-
3.tates D:. strict Caur: fer the Sou:hern JMet cf New Ycr4 has der.'ed me tenal.
dent resulting m a release of special nu.
T".e expertence in sh pping thousands -
clear materiais or radiation from them.
State of New Ycrk's r:cuest !cr ;rehmt.
of pacr. ages per year et all fctms of and gary inftmet:0n in the act:en m which rad:cact:ye :nater:als by n!! medes of
. ne possibt!!ty of terronst activities "f' 3'47..*.s sucmnted as cc==en.s e2 transpct: under existing NRC. OOT. and directed towara such matena s in :.ne Base"d on,,.e,cre;cing, me:uding me
^MA e-"lat: ens has keen verv 'avorabic cour:e of air t a.scort or related cen.
- **' Oues:s *'*ar suspaat:o'n "* 'at *"sd necting t:2nscrt resultb in; consMera*. cas stated :. *.ne June : no* ce desenbed sup a. the Cc=nusson has been re'c"e:vect as c.,.3..at a:c di,."no."<et J'
ta Dellocrate dispersal cf rad!cacnve,
ma:erials.
concluced that the air :nnsror-at:ca, of fcrth any 31:mf. cant new micrma. tan ib) '. aktufacture cf nuclear weapcns:
special nuc!est matena;. other
- nan
- vmen woud. :nd:cate that present pacic-plutorjum, unger cur e.::7 e:=cente reg.
a7 a;c or secur:ty requirements are inade.
,c) Accidental releass cf rhdicact:ve tdancns needs net, and sr.ou:d na*. be c;uate.
ma.e :als. -
suspensed cr c:he: vtse !!:.nec dunn; 33.,.g.s a!". davits regardmg the the per:od that the rule =a;;:n prxeed-In v:ew of the physical secnr:ty me.l.s.
ures nc** reqtured by :0 C."R Par:
3.
Acc! A ha:aras of s:r shipment.!!ke mest Ing no*Jeed en -une a m.t :s be=g conducted.
- .he protec::Sn prov:ded 3:ainst *ctrre cf tne concerns tha: have been expressed acc:acnta by the hl=h inte nty packa.:nd recently about air transportatten of spe-required by NTtC. OCT and FAA re u-e:.1 nuclear =atenal, relate to the pcs.
lat:cns. the cons:s:ency cf thche reeture-s:tle consecuences of a:: ace:denml re-me"ts wnh int. rnational standartis..he
! care of a sign:a. cant quantuy cf pluten
- ow ace: der- - r %dit<. and the inter.
tum. It is assumed 2at *he realan mat able egen.
! ate, the r:sk involved piutonium is discussed more can
- n the :-enspe:
ton of radioacMve m3 uranium s tant pluton:m ;;;es a much ter:al under currently erf eenvc reenia.
greater rad:o!cg: cal heaMh hasard than e '-.n^ered
- 5 be s**"
mer lew u.m ccd ur.n%% m 3 "..'th15., '..c.. ~. - *.s *. i.'. T. *.^.J 1,7. o,...
' e
.-a c '",
mas"s. anc'nt rao:cesc!cc: cal en.ractens.
,.lC,.n C. y+ -
n e ns.
c.c". x he etnrer er:t' "%
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na tre ;;et M t recuer ac M 0". re-ng en..,g an. ::3 3 3:3 nee 2n:
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- en es m :w r. ?cr 2.cn c. 2:r inmmcn'a
- 3 rare;y
- antenes tv a:r. In.cnec
,,IaCC1C e / : 9/,/ 8) c1 of p.u cnnim and cluer sp?cmi nuded uranium wnet.:ct cf ;cw or nat. enr:cn-mater:a!*. co:ttments m're weedcalk m-ment, would not present a sigm!! cant vueu on the matter of whc;her suspcn-rac:olc0 cal health aaaard even if a s:3-s:cn er emer i" ;t:. ens on *he a:r n:fican cuantn/ were *o te released.n tram;Cr* t*;Cn Jf p.u'On: un and OL-.cr En aII *3I* 3CCbACUE I OT A0010fnI t ccia; nt:cie.c "nM eha.-
te Jud?d proca y
.e omM WM*.co
...cor.CCM Wed ;o,$ de=cn*
WMM
'O $1 #
durm; '..he '*0r:od in..! :h0 rule "*aDng a Ar.O uran:C""...
g
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r.-.,.
w, n, gg g rcM.1 g in syn:. cant dis; ercal *s ca-tremely small.
f adR '.', t.fH.'"d' C C t6 V
w iRC st:C has selected Sandla Labora.
toriet. Albuquerque. New Me:tico, to per.
g; pq gg an, environmenti.! asses.t=ent.
not pg% g7
..:on Whka the gener:c environr= ental
~EI*I I3'U*
TRANS?CRTAT:CN QF RAOtCNUC1,10ES l
""[o.,.elp m enmenmental analya IN URSQ ENVUtONS
?.andia Iabora:or:es has formet1 n id 3
intent To Prepare a Generic EIS riac Tad Group to provide a !cru:n for the exchange of ideas and infor:nat:ott Ute 2euclear Regulatory Cemnussion
- h een everts. The breac y bated 8 NRC) has cect=enced pre;;,tration of a
...c*nt:nhtsa of the ANTO Includes Oct.
gener:C environmental im;2ct statement SorJ ametated with govetnment ilocal.
cn the transportatics of rac:Onuchdes in
' ate and federale. mdust:7. acade::na.
urba.n enrirens. Ms ent:renmen.11 :=.
d ent tronmental activat groupv pact statement cn the transt ortation of racicacuve n:sterial near, in, ard
'Jcettn;s C1 the AHTC ate c;e21 La me 8- @ The Urs* mer*:ng Was hem in thrcugh a large censely poculated area T Y rk Car on Setember 20. 1276:
is bomg prepared in conne:ncn with a Secono meenn2 was Melo m Arlme re evaluation cf present res&ticus as ton. Vn. en November M-17,1S76. As a utd:cated ln the advance notice of rule.
mak=g : oceedings puo'.:shed June 2.
mult of the AliTC meet:nts the gro:ce:
- npe has teen ex:an.:ed to treat soc:a; 1975 '40 TR 037!3e and pursuant to the National Enttienmental Policy Act of sa: pact and cushty.usur2nce pract:ccs I
tn furtner de:h. A third rnect=g :s 1963 i43 S:st. J3:1
.Janned !cr ?darc. 09-3A 1377 in Plaitt.
Pursus. to the stated intention to re.
rWre. 'Jd. ?Jmutes of these meeungs view these rest.at: ens m. place when NRC was fermed in January 1975. the ws!! he p: aced in the USNRC Puct:c rulemaking proceeding was initiated Document Rcom elT:7 H Street. I"*,
with a view to t..e ; css ble amencment l
ishine:on. DC.1 as they become ava:1 I
Jle. Interested persons are ence'2rSced of retu;at:cns :n 10 CTR Parts 7; a:M 73 to a: tend tacte pub ic meetmes. Furtner regara:nc transportanon of rad;oact;te n: formation about the Sand:a !abora.
mater:al. including packaging. :"r.e con.
r:es assessment the AMTG. or fun.re siderat: ens puc!:sned previous;y ap:,1y to this ent:renmental :mpact statement:
l mcet:ngs may oe cota.ned it:m A. R.
howeser, this statement will focus en the DuCharme. Dars:o:: 3410. Sand:a Lao.
ator:es. A;buquereue New Mex:co spec:21 features of uroan areas and var.
- ous transrcrt moces will te stren em.
.;3. teje :ncne <505 e 254-5571 priasts in accord with their envirca.
I After ti.c ent:rontnental impact mental sign:hcance in an urtan setting.
- tess ment haa been rev:e'ved by :ne ne gener:c environment.21 tm;act
.RC staC a draft senerte ent:ron.
statement wail cons; der su:n unique
.nent.*i unpact statement will be Pre.
facets of tne ur::an Setimg as:
pared. U;ca preparat.cn of the draft
<!) H! h populatsort cens:: es; savironmental statement, the NRC wait.
t:) Sh:eldmc efects of buildmgs amonc ether things. cause to be puo.
under ncimal and ac:: dent COnd:tions:
lahed m the Ptsraat. Rrcism a sum.
t3D The effect of local meteorology on mary nonce of ava:lacthty of the dratt accident cen*eQ:.ences; s. ner:c ent:renntental un;act state.
44 The convergence cf t*ansportation
..ent, w.r. r request fcr comrnents frem routes in c:t:es; and
- nterested wrsons en the draft state.
- 85) Diurnal variations in populatton.
r ent. *re mmmary notice w:11 a: o T.=;nasis w:ll be placec on racio*
-atam a Statement to the edect that icg: cal health edects, but all environ
- comments 'n Federal agencies and State mental impacts. both radioicgical and and !ccal wf.cials will be mace ava2.a:le nonradiological. Till he assessed. Se Ocn received. Upon consideraticn of
.tnments suonutted 2.th respect to the craf t environme stal t tement. the NRC eraa will pre, are a Sn 1 ceneric enetren.
e ntal :mpact r,tatement, the ava:labt!!.
of s hir' will liv pubidhed in the TITritaL Rt.hrra.
,14.U.,u rt, y.,- e c h
w (M: to v ycr a
Bilandic 1/19/7c) d
a FEB 131978 M'i
' s:
- M ';'.
- t'.
The Honorable Hilliam J. Scott ttorney Generall State of_ Illinois Chicago, Illinois 60601
Dear lir. Attorney General:
On January 30, 1973, at the request of Mayor Bilandic, MP.C reoresentatives briofed Chicago City officials on an environmental statenent concerning transportation of radioactive caterials.
The City efficials suggested that this same information be provided to ycu and your staff. Accordingly, I have enclosed a copy of NRC's Fical E-virrn en*al Statenent en the Tran:ccrtation cf ".adioactive 3,.o 4 1 s,24.,-- n-se, r,,ee ( mncc_nr/c.'.
P. so er.ciesec is a copy of the notice of availacility cublishec in the caderal Renieter on Jcnuary 25, 1973. As stated in that notice, cersons with views on the content or conclusicn of ?!" ~3 n170. which cay be neipful to the Cc=:ission in its deli' erations shculd file such c==: cats by c
thrch 15, 1978 with the flRC.
If you desire any further information on this subject, you or your
- p staff are welecce to call f*r. Robert F. Eurnett at (301) 427-4033.
,qs?
If ycu desire, we would be pleased to arrange a briefing for you dy similar to that given to Mayor Bilandic's staff en January 30, 1978.
Mi Sincerely, M Lgital M.
Cl i ff 5;. 37 5: '.'.
S
- ' 3 rd V. Smith, Jr., Director Office of ?!uclear.'hterial Safety and Safeguards Ecclosures:.
As stated ATCH. 2
- q., e 3
1
- 1,1,) l i
1 y
()l'l'l('1; (ll* TIIl:
.NI.W t ) If c Tv or ciair.u u s
.IIC!l A Ef A. DII.A.N Die marco February 23, 1978
Dear Dr. Smith:
This is in reply to your letter o f January 19, 1978 relative to the transportation of high enriched uranium through O' Hare Ai rp o r t.
You further point out in your letter that during our joint discussions in Chicago on December 2,
1977, it was agreed that the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff would review the health, safety and other environmental impacts associated with transportation of HEU through O' Hare.
On Decenber 15, 1977, members of my staff again met wi th N RC staff for the purpose of exploring a joint agenda for a study to determine the environmental impact of the transportation of HEU through densely populated urban environments such as the City of Chicago and its major airport.
It is my understanding that the agenda for the proposed short term study proposed by the NRC did not f
j address some significant envizcamental and health and 92-w safety fac:crs, including those which are known to stress f.f large segments of populations residing in densely populated u rb an environs.
It is =y further understanding that NRC representatives -hen proposed a briefing on NUREG-0170, titled, " FINAL. 7IRONME:!TAL STATEMENT ON THE TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE
.9 ATERI AL BY AIR AND OT!!E R MODCS," which was intended to address =any of the questions raised at the December 15, 1977 meeting here in Chicago.
M a b.".
O_
/
Dr. Clifford V.
Smith, Jr.
Page Two on January. 30, 1973, NRC staff provided a detailed briefing on the contents of NURIG-Ol70, Volu=es 1 and 2.
This briefing was attended by six cabinet-level members of my staff, including the President of the Chicago Board of Health, Commissioner of Health, the Superintendent of Police, Commissioner of Environmental Control, Deputy Commissioner of Fire and the Deputy Cc=missioner of Health of the' City of Chicago.
During the briefing, NRC personnel admitted that NUREG-0170, Volumes 1 and 2,
are still classi-fied as " staff documents" and will not be submitted to the full Nuclear Regulatory Commission until at least March 15, 1978, at which time the Commission will decide whether or not to accept this " Final Environ = ental
!= pact Statement."
Furthermore, as stated in paragraph two of your letter of January 19, 1978, relative to NUREG-0170, page two, paragraph two:
"Except as noted above, NUREG-Ol70 does not specifically consider factors unique to the urban environment such as diurnal variation in populatien, convergence of transportation routes, shielding effects of buildings, or the effect of local meteorelegy en a.c ci de n t consequences.
A separate study specific to such considerations is being conducted and will result in a neparate environmental statement specific to such an urban environ-
=ent."
We have earlier expressed deep interest in this separite urban environmen al assessment which you peint out is being carried out by an ad hoc task group fermed by Sandia Labora-tories, and suguest that upon completion of an NRC-Sandia Laboratories On"_ronmental Impact Statement on the transpor-tation of radit..uclides in urban environs, it may well address itself to =ost, t f net all, of the urban factors, admittec.f not covered in NUREC-0170 as well as tacse raised by my staff.
G
/
Dr. Clifford V.
Smith, Jr.
Page Three Thus, it would seem illogical to attempt to push through a short term (30-day study) which would be unique to Chicago at a time when the major national urban environmental impact statement is already under active development by your Agency and the rederal Government acting in consort with state and local governments.
We do, however, concur with your proposal that Chicago representatives be invited to attend the meet-ings of the Ad Hoc Task Group and appreciate your sug-gestions made in this regard.
Members of my staff have advised r.e that your Agency is currently exploring, with the Department of Defense, the feasibility of utilizing military air bases or the pilitary side of civilian controlled airports in an e f fort to provide a viable alternative to exclusive use of civil-ian airports for the transportation of high enriched uranium.
At the very least this would seem to be a highly commendable interim solution to our joint problem and would certainly go far to reassure the general public that every possible precaution is being taken relative to the transportation.of these materials and to the safeguarding of the public interest.
Sincerely,
%w a.
s Mayor Dr. Clifford V.
Inith, Jr.
Director Office of Nuclear 9.a t e ri al Safety and Safeguards United States Nuclear Regulatory C:.nission
- dashingten, D.C.
20555
Sandia Laboratorie Ah0gercue N@w 'AfUCC UII-March 22, 1978 Mr. Edward F.
King Deputy Commissioner Chicago Department of Health Chicago Civic Center Chicago, Illinois 60602
Dear Mr. King:
I have been informed by members of the Nuclear Regulatory Com=ission (NRC) staff that the Mayor and other officials of the City of Chicago are interested in a study being performed here at Sandia Laboratories on the transportation of radioactive materials in urban areas.
You were mentioned as the appropriate contact on this matter.
The environmental assessment we are doing includes consider-ation of details of the urban environment such as high, varying population density, shielding of buildings, and local meteorology and how these factors affect exposure of people to radiation and other environmental impacts.
Key aspects of the study include accident-free transport, human errors, vehicular accidents, and the safeguarding of radioactive materials in urban areas.
The transport of all radioactive materials is being considered, except weapons shipments and shipments on military vehicles.
Sandia Laboratories has been receiving the advice and recem-mendations of a 20-member task group since the beginning of this study.
The task group is composed of individuals from industry, the public interest area, governmental organizations,
.and academia.
This task group has assembled four times at public meetings so far in the investigation with one additional-meeting tentatively scheduled in New York City during the E
latter part of May of this year.
That meeting will feature
'p%
review of the Working Draf t Environmental Impact Assessment currently being preparet I am pleased to invite you and any other interested puclic offic'
's in Chicago to attend this meeting.
Discussions a past
_etings have primarily involved the task greep, but the cpportunity for inputs frca interested attendees as :eer specifically provided for and enccuraged.
These
- n::::u icns have broadened the secpe and improved :ne accurac; cf : e investigation.
CCH. -
,~
Edward'F. King March 22, 1978 Inclosed is a copy of the interim report and available minutes of previous task group meetings.
I will send you more details cf the next meeting in New York City when plans are finalired and a copy of the Working Draft Assessment when it becomes available.
I will gladly supply any available additional information on the study.
Sincerely, G. R ObM A.
R.
Ducharme Fuel Cycle Risk Analysis Division 5413 DJM :5 410 :dm Enclosures Copy to: (without enciccures)
Mayor Michael A.
Bilandic Clifford V. Smith Robert B. Minogue NRC R.
F. Barker NRC R.
Bernero NRC R.
F.
Burnett NRC N.
A.
Eisenberg NRC R. A.
Erickson NRC V.
Bodge NRC D.
J.
Kasun NRC C.
E.
MacDonald NRC D.
A. Nussbaumer 5400 A. W. Snyder 5410 D.
J.
McCloskey 5413 P.
E.
McGrath 5413 A.
R. Ducharme
~
e
h MAY 2 1078 it...;acrable !Mchael A. Bilandic
',vor ;f Chicano
..i.:r,u, Illinois GOG02
Dear l'.ayor Bilandic:
Tnank you for your letter of February 23, 1973 concerning our joint cevicu of tha transportation of high enriched uranium through O'Hara ai rpor t.
As I understand from your letter, you do not now consider it desirable
'o do a short term study of factors unique to Chicago and would prefer
.1 stead, to have Chicago representatives attend meetings of Sandia Labori:ory': Ad Hoc Task Group which is assessing transportation of radio-nuclides in urban environs.
! am pleased that you concur in our proposal to have Chicagc repre-sa:;tativas attend meetings of the Ad !!ac Task Group.
The urban envirans stady should address all factors of cencarn, including those raised' by your staff which might. stress large segments of populations residino in Jansely populated urb 2n anvirons. Hith regard to Chicago involvement in "ile uroan stut/, I undarstand Sandia Laboratories has already contacted Mr. Ed ec.rd F.
' inn, Deputy Commis:ioner, Chicago Capartment of Health, 1 bout the next meeting of its Ad Hoc Task Group.
7n your letter, you stated that use of military air bases or die military sidas of civilian controlled airports would be a highly commendable i'.teria solucion to our joint problem and would certainly go far to cassure the general public that every possible pracaution is being ca'.en relative to the safeguarding of the public interest.
Since a decision about the use of :pecific airfields fall: ou: side the dr.C regulatory authority, uc have referred the question of cilitary 2irfield use to tne Executive Sranch for c:ncideration.
(Enclosed is a copy of.1RC's letter to the Assistant to the President for :!ational Security Affairs).
n e u.. -
i
o..c r..ai. ':t e.2:1 A. Gilandic '
" -:22r 2,1977, we have ma: with you and exch:n:cJ several I : *. :. 2 abou:.ne shi':2nt of high enric!:2d urani:::a througn O'::are i -~
c.
%.:aars of cur re:pectiva staffs nave met several timas to
- :..:: this'9bject.
'l2 ficyc ininnt:ad : ctbers of your s taff about c'.icnat cug. ing studies and provided thera recorts of completed wor!:
.. ric.1 ca the subject of nuclear natorial transportation.
I'ost racently, you.tered in your letter, MRC staff renresentatives nrovided Chicaco
.i,'icials, includi::c cix Cabinet-level ceabers of your staff, a detailed triefing on ::RC's Final Environmental Statecent en the Transnortation of
@dicaccive "aterials by Air and Other dodes (JURG-017J).
f[ilAs you kncu, MRC reguiations do not specify airports which'shioper use to transpart liigh enriched uranium.
As ' stat:d above, the use of
. :pecific airfields falls outside 'the MRC regulatory authority.
Havi.1g7 6
li,referr d the question of militar9 airfield use to the Executive Crai.ch
' 'far ccasideration, we will keep you inforced of further J velopments.
in ta2 interir.:, we are notifying all shi.nners of your concern: abcut j security arrangements ap.d requesting careful coorcination with your
" 4 au tho ri ti as.
In closing, I should like to emphasize our appreciation fcr the cocaeration
'he city has 60en providing us in this catter.
Sincerely, Original sieried by Clifford V. Saf th, Jr., Dira:ter Office of i aclear Material Safety and Safeguards
_nclosure:
' r tc the As:ict:at to the President for ::stional Security Affairs 6
"' Or.,,
UNITED s1 ATEs J
.i NUCLEAR REGULATORY CO.'.1MISS!ON di ;
nA:xmcron. o. c. Icns
., i n
,e
./jf April 23,1970
...e na-: asins
- ....u. ; n Se Hcnorable Zbigniew Brzezinski Assistcnt ta the president for-National Security Affairs The White House
- ashington, D. C.
20500 Cear [ r. Brzezinski:
C;e o' the responsibilities of the Nuclear Regulatory Ccamission (NRC) is to regulate the commercial export and import of privately owned sceci.1 nuclear caterials such as high enriched uranium.
During the past few years, O' Hare International Airpor, Chicago, has served as the aerial port for a number of international shicments of high enriched uranium.
In the case of exports, protected shipments normally travel by read to the O'Harc Airport and leave by scheduled commercial cargo flights for foreign destinations.
The "RC was satisfied with the security arrangements for air shipments
.; hen Maycr Bilandic of Chicago expressed his concerns about them and asked that shipments of high enriched uranium through C?.icago's O' Hare
'i rec r: be stopped pending a~ review of safety and safeguards.
The NRC temporarily agreed to this request.
In the ceantime, Mayor Bilandic has
- cted that use of a military air base or the military side of a civilian con
- rolled airport (st -h as O' Hare) would go far to reassure the general Jblic that every pcssible precaution is being taken relative to the transpo.rt
- tion of these materials.
Aside frcm.the concerns expressed by the Mayor of Chicago, there have clso bsen several recent expressions of Congressional concern and a
'etter frcm Ralph Nader about the continued use cf ccamarcial facilities for such shipments.
Since a decision about the use of specific airficids fcli cutside the purview of NRC regulatory authority, we considered it cppropriate to refer the question cf military airfield use to the Executive Granch for consideration.
'le icok forward to working with you in reaching reasonable solution on this matter.
u 9
tr.eracle Zbigniew Br:e:inski I am forwarding a copy of this letter to Mayor Bilandic of Chicago who nas expressed particular interest in exploring tne use of military c'.cfields for high enriched uranium shipments.
. Sincerely, 0
./.y u. wLa Joseph M. Hendrie Chairman uc:
The Honorable Michael A. Bilandic Mayor of Chicago e
e 9
gsR *Ec oq*,
UNITE D STATES y
7 g '.
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
{,
- 7) $
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 O.+ W- )
g MAY 191978 TO NRC AND AGREEMENT STATE LICENSEES POSSESSING 1 GRAM OR MORE URANIUM-235 CONTAINED IN HIGH-EliP.ICHED URANIUM Our records indicate that you possess high-enriched uranium (uranium enriched to 20 percent or more in the U-235 isotope).
We wish to advise you that the Mayor of Chicago has expressed concern over arrangements for shipments of high-enriched uranium traversing 0' Hare International Airport.
We recommend, therefore, that you carefully coordinate any such shipments with the Chicago Department of Health.
Sincerely, pYTh bi - _ =w'
,c C M N
Robert F. Eurnett, Director
-Division of Safeguards Office of Nuclear t'aterial Safety
~
and Safeguards 4
c Fr.
ATCH. 8
hiitfia [IIIJOTTIIONCS an,.
w m.. n...c.3 nrevs June 13, 1978 P*r., Edward r. King M puty Comminstoner Chiemgo Dapartwent of Remith Chicaco Civic Center Ch(cago, 2L 50602 Dear Mr. Kings I was gIma to hear from you reccht3y in respona* to my letter of March 22, 1970, inviting you and any other a tank interested public of ficialm la Chicago to,attand croup me== ti ng on the transportation of ruoloactive enterialm in urban areas.
'This fifth and 1==t in m mortes of weetingw is now meheiduled for July 24-25,.
1979, at the Ford roundation in New York City.
The me=tino w111 featur*
aincussions of the Mocking Draft Ammmemment which was recently Asmued by Sandia Laboratoriem.
A cop 3-of thle tiocumen t iw enclemed for your information.
The enclosed scends also shown that the NRC will hold a workshop right arter the sancia meeting on the 25th.
Although the twenty mentwr task group cannot at thfa late i n~e' ude your offiefmt vember-l Onte be femmib3y expanded to cs hi p, there wil.1 be ample oppor tuni ty for participaeSon by you or ynor coIJengues in this Jul y meeting wh.tch will be open to the public.
I encourage you and your collmaque:
to attend and to offer may suggestions or comments on our study and the preliminary results we w111 discus = n t this are= ting.
Sincerely,
- ~ ' ~
Q..t. O L M -
A.
R.
Ducharme ruel Cycle nink Analysis Division 5413 ARD: app Cnclosures E[
ATCh. 9 -
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JUL 17 B78 The Hencrable Michael A. Eilandic Mayor of Cnicago Chicago, Illinois 60602
Dear. Mayor Bilandic:
I wish to extend an invitation to representatives of the City of Chicago to attend two meetings, about transport of radicactive materia.ls. in cities, planned for the end of July. The NRC Staff is planning an infcrmal workshop with public participation for July 2C, starting at 2:30 p.m.
Sandia Laboratories will conduct a meeting, cpen to the public, of its Ad Hoc Task Group formed to assist Sandia in preparing an environ-rental assessment July 24-25,1978,, qp transport of radionuclides in urban envirens, on Seginning at 9:00 a.m. each day.
Ecth meetings will be held in the main ecnference room of the Ford Foundation, 220 East 43rd Street, New York, N. Y.
The Sandia meeting will primarily be devoted to discussion of technical aspects of their recently issued report " Transport of Radicnuclides in Urban Environs:
Working Draft Assessr.ent," (Encicsure A).
Chapter 6 of tnis report discusses " Sabotage, Security and Safeguarcs im Urban Transport."
The informal workshop conducted by the NRC Staff, entitled, "The Urban Transpcrtatien Study - Lccking Ahead; Status, Goals, and 3.;pecaches," in part, is in recognition of the transition in enphasis frca preparation of a technical assessment by Sandia Laboratcries to the formulation and pro-pesal of regulatory options by the NRC Staff.
Sandia Laboratories has been in contact with members cf ycur staff about their Task _ Grouc meeting. Members of the NRC Staff have been in tcuch with menbers of ycur staff to provide information and to invite,carticipa-tion in both meetings. Seth meetings have been anncunced in the Feceral Recister (Encicsure B).
By this letter, I wish to make special eff ort to cring these meetings to your attention and tc encourace your partici;ation, sc that we have the benefit of your views on these important issues in transportaticn safety.
Sincerely,
-zw.-
Lee V. Gessick Executive Direc:cr for C:erati:ns Erci:sures:
A.
Trans;crt of Radionuclides in Urban c?
Environs: Working Oraft Assessment
$1 9ct.
-q_
,x 4 ATCH.
',0
INTERIM REPORT 781710145 Accession No.
SAND 77-1927 Contract Program or Project
Title:
Generic Environmental Assessment on Transportation of Radioactive Materials Near or Through a large Densely Pooulated Area subject of this Document: Transport of Radionuclides in Urban Environs:
A Working Draft Assessment Type of Document:
Preliminary Recort Draft Assessment Author (s):
A.R. Duchame, Jr. (Project Coordinator); R.E. Akins; S.L. Daniel; D.M. Ericscn, Jr. ; B.H. Finley, N. N. Finley; P.C. Kaestner; D.D. Sheldon; J.M. Taylor; M.S. Tierney Date of Document:.
gg Responsible NRC individual and NRC Office or Division:
N. Eisenberg Transportation and Product Standards Branch Office of Standards Deveicoment This document was prepared crimarily for preliminary or internal use. It has not received full review anc accroval. Since there may be substantive changes, this document should not be consicered final.
Sandia Laberatories Albuqueroue, New Mexico 87135 for the U.S. Department of Energy Prebred for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Wasnington, D.C. 2C556 under CCE Centract AT(29-1)-739 NRC FIN No. A-ID77-A INTERIM REPORT ff h
Cover rage of Encl. A,.~itr to Mayor Bilandic 7/17/78 (Rpt contains
-',5 ::;es) k
~
The NRC has pretiously an=cu=ced
- , N (40 FR 1071) its i=:en: to ::re;are a genen ent.ren= ental !=;ac: 3:a:e.
=en: on :he trans:cr atic Of raci:n.
uc!! des in urban ennr0 s. Th:s enri.
r===e :al =;ac: s:ste=en: cn the trass;ct atics of rac: cacti.e =atena!
near. ::. arc th ough,a '.arte densely
- c;ulated area is be
- rg ::re::ared i=
ccc=ectics r.th a reevaluaton of presen: rer.:la00:s as incicated :.s the advance =chce of r.:!*-* g proceed.
ings published June 2. 1975 (40 FR 20763), and pursuant to the Natic al Environmental Policy Act of 1969.(33 Stat.SS:3.
ne gemene envire== ental i=::ac state =ent will cc sider such u=:::ue face:.s of the urban setting as:
(1) Elsa popuistion de=s:ty: Hess7 =eces.
trian tra.!!!c c1cI si var.1*.:cas := popula.
tion: 2.nd DCn:Ontal vertical cia:nbut:cs.
C3 U:Jcue tra: spor".at:03 erv:fon=ent C:=rergence cf transpor:ancs routes; beavy trai".c =s=7 users s.-J holdera cf ra.
dioacuve =atenals: and c:ifere:: safe.
guare.s enr:rotment.
(3) Spec:r1 e!!e-:.s: 2:!!eets of Iccal and J.
cremetecrolocr. and stuel:1= ettects of bulle. ss.
E:::;has:s T!Il be ;!ac-d en rad.!c1cri.
cal health e!.fec:s. but all ennrc =en.
tal i=; acts. both radiclogical and son.
radiologie:1. v.ll be 2.ssessed.
The :.7.C staff has selected Sandia Labora: cries. A;buquerque N..Niex to perfcr= an ennron=e::111ssment.
upon which the gener:: envir := ental i=;ac: statement w.'1 be largely ':ased.
To hel; in 1*.s ennre = ental analys:s.
Sandia Lancratones hs.s for=ed 2 ad hoe tasic group UJCG) to pronde a fon:= for the exchange of ideas and infor=ation betTeen ex;erts. ne breadly based =embership of the AETG includes persons a.sscciated r.th gover==es: (local. State. and FederalA industry acade=ia. and e n.
Ic =estal ac :v:st grou;:s. Mee ings of the AH."G are opes to the public.
Cates a:d locat:c=s et ;rmous AJr G
=ee::=cs are: Sept. 3.197s-New Y rz.
N.T.: Nov.16 17,1976-Ar:! g.cc. *ta.: \\ tar.
- 9 30.197 -Balt:= ore. Lic.: a=d July 13 14.
1977-Ecus:cs. Tex.
Minutes of these meetings are placed
'.n the CMC.We M.
[7590-01]
=en: Roo=. 1717 H S:r et NW.,
TI.ANSPCRTA lCN CF RADICNUC.: ES IN Washing *00.
O.C.,
as they bec0=e URSAN ENWRCNS STidaDie.
^
pm wg Sandia Laboratones is pla ning a fifth and !!=al meeting cf the A*CG The Nuclear Res.11atory C
'*cn fcr July 24-25, 1978, beg- ' g at 9 (NRC) staff is pia = ing an infor=al a.=
i= the main eenfere=ce rec = cf workshop cn the transpcr of radienu. the Ford Foundat:en. 3 0 East 43d clides in urcan enn.: s for July 25.
Street New Ycrt. N.T. ""he ::n=ary 1973. T.%.is i=.for.11 wcrtshc; s:arti.g pu. cte ci the fifth =ee::=g cf tre at ::20 ::.=2. will be held i.: the =ain AE G is to discuss e ::re"- ary CC=fere Ce *0C:1 Cf the Ferd 7:U Ca.
re;cr* T:s= ort Cf Racient:11:es in tion. 300 E.ast 43d S:reet. New Yorz. Ur a= E=r.ress: Worr: g Oraf As.
N.T. The !!tle of the wertshop is ** he ses=:ent." given to NP.C by Sa:dia Ur:an Trs.cspettat:cs S:ucy-Lco':=g Larcra:cnes late in 2427 1972.
h:s s
Ahes. : S:a:ts. Ccals, and A p.
- te"-
ary t: -: d:.srusses :.e
- rcacces."
seen; =e:h;do;cgy arc ;.tsents TECLEA: REC 13TER. VCL 43. NC. IsWT JE30AY, JU 7.? 19r3
- .pr. LL e. g.
=
., n s,
LMO
-(itr to Maycr
.n,,.ianClC /f 1/
,,,,--s f<
est=tates of envire==ent21 !=;2 cts NRC staff. A transe :;t of the pro.
fcr 2 ur::a 2:e2 resui:=; frc= 2 ::. ceedin:s Till te Ore r. red and made
- en:4r-e :::ns;crt, vehicular
- ac=.
availatie b the NRC cu U: docu=en e.:2. hu=2: error. and :2:c::se inct.
- c=. A=caz :he te : s :h2: =2y:.
de==.
A;: hough :: :s a preli=i 1:7 discussed a:.h:.s bicr=21 x rsshcp re::cr: cc;.:es cf the re::cr; cre trada.
3:e*
Me to =e=cers of the ;ublic c re,
( 3 CO*-* t $3tv. : t:1 NRC s:2ff:!1:sf:r q.gg.,
tat Craft enr :..=ents! s:ste=e:O tai sde-
- "-~
- 1. C.S. Nuclear Rec:! story'Oc==isnes.
Suaer of :ne Sanc!2 1.A: ors:cr es ameu.
C!! ice of S:ancares Oeveic =en:. Trs:.s.
=ecu (c) Curr=n: recusus:s: arc (d) reiaL.
- c
- .suon 2:2 P-ocuct S:ancares 3r: :=
'd *:'8 and Ate 5.
5650 2: oLwn L1:e. Rocr..11e. Md. 00s53.
O Gcais: (a) Sugges ed ;utu: hes!th and A:. : No:==.'s A. T3e:Derg, tele::c=e 301 safe:7 g als tb) sugges:ed recus:Ory sc-443-4910.
Com a:d (c) suggesW. 2:me=ents =
- 2. Sa:**.it I.storato: es. Fuel C7cie Risg the entron=e: si sue :=e:*-
(33 A:;resenes: (as ms:-::t:= of.*e: la-A. e x.73:3.o...Otr.s:cs 54:3. A;bucuer:ue. N.
tory r* sects r.u.:7 2.=ontt the T LF cus F*cer=
11
.$. At._. A
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3 s
sie:hece 505-5445:1.
al age:cas mg. EC. OC~. MX tt) 6
- 3. U.S. E:m.c =en:a1 Protection Age c7.
'rcucc: of reccatory --s;omtW a=c:
Rec : ".: Recon 21 O!!!ce of assistien P o-t.he various Fece-21. 5:ste, a:s local govern.
1=2 Ans.: Paul Giarci.s. Cbef. Roc =
=e:.= tc):otent:21iecstat:re eta:ges; and 907.T. :$ Federal P::=a. New Tc x. N.Y.
W the row of putte =een:ss.
10007.
I keeping a.th the previous eN.s C ::ies of the Terting draf: assess, throustcut th:s study to cetais early men'. are also avada le fcr ;chlic b-
~ *ha 1= u-10:e-es:ed pe sons sra "en"e*,fr2gyg }o atte:d both the NRC.
3;eC"3 **-
and Sandia public met:=gs. I::erested
- . ~he NRC Putte Doci.=:ent Rect =.1717 perscas are 1 v ed Oc at:end the =ee -
R Stree N L Tasti::.oc. D.C. 0 t15.
=g to ask'questices cr =1ke c =-
- . ne NRC's nye Recenal Cf.nces of In-
=es:s and sugges=00s c= the rtgula-stecucn and F.cforte=et: Recon h 501 tory senr :es assoc-g;ed..th the envi.
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su::e ::co. 6:1 P.nn P:2:a 0:ve. Arung:en.
. i w 23,. uc. car Tex. se::: 2:s Rec:= : se:te :02.1Se9 Eerr.12: ry C:--'"n:.,0Cke
,--T 2 d Neren Canter:na Sherard. wa:::s Crees.
. =Ete:.
D.C. 0555. Atte::ic::
- 3. m ca.' Ee four =a;:r refere::e coce of s
Se..ce See:!ca. Further bICr=20CR t::e' Na T:rs c::r Pu=ue '_itrar7 c= these =eeti:E3. the TCTI=3 dT1I-assers=ent, or the s: dy in O:er21 After censiderayc cf CC==e:t3, e*
ceived 2: the fl.
Ar-G - et
,f
.,.,,37 ge.c,.ee.ed, as a;;;re::nste. to in-Sace:S L2:crs:enes Ti.1 pre;2:e ",,,,.
dir. duals a: :he NRC cr "'- "1 Labo-stcr:es as !!sted ateve.
su::=:: to NRC r draft assee*-t '=
Ee;te:- 'er 15 3. ~~.' e NRC s: if ?!1:3 (5 U.S.C.15:(al.)
to issue a d :f: e=r.r :=e=:21 s:2:e-
=en: C.,IS: '.2:e in 15 8 tased lar;ely.,, D,2p a:.,-cchye..yd, :hls 2 day t.,., b.,3.
u;c the Sa. :::: aters:cnes d::f: as-sess=en:
Fcr the Nuclear Regula: r7 Cc=.
C:ct preparstics cf the DIS. the
"'em.-
NRC r.11. accus Other thbgs cau.se Rest:- 3. 2.I:. soc r.
- o :e ::u:lished :: the F=rza:. R:c.s.
i drecter. Office c/
- a s"--$ ~/ =ctice ::f avai;atill:7 cf Sf=nd:rd:Gr elc;me.f.
- he r f:
sene-.:
e:r.r::=es:al 73 Ooc. 73-139ES F' led 7-1G 2: 833 a=J i=:act statement. T::h a request f:r c:==ents fr:= 5:erested ;er: cts ::
- te
.2f: s:1:ement. ~he su==2.ry
- ce v.1127.so : r"'
2 sta:e=e:t to tae effe: :21: c==ents c: Fede 21 tre==es and S:2:e and loc 1 c:fie: sis
=:11 te =ade av.a12:le 'Thea. received.
C::ca cces: ersu:: Of c--"'en:s sub-
=:::e T th res;ec: to *.he draft envi-
-:::=e :al 5; :e=est. the NRC staff
%".11 ;.e:are a 'bal generic env'ren-mental :=;act sta:eme::. :he avail.
1:11: Of wn:ch v.11 te ;c 1 2hed 5 tue F=r:A:. RI: s :2.
~he.. formal Tencte:: cc: ducted
.....v.u....,>.-_.,.......%.-,s,,..Cn.....,...~~.
..w
.. ~... _
..e-t:: = e=::::s:s : := ;re:a.at:0 Of a tecc.=:2.1 asses:=e:: by S: dia La:o-rt::- es o :ne I:r=uisu== and pro-
- csal of r*r.
- 11: / :::ucts by the
. FCitAL t!GL"TI. VCL. C. NC. :::. r.:1.O AY.. ::Y 11. !7*1
REVIEW 0F SAFETY AtlD SAFEGUARDS ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSPORTATIO1 OF HIGH E?tRICHED URAllIUM THROUGH CHICAGO'S O' HARE AIRPORT OCTOBER 1978
- l: ;f#i:2 cf ' uclear !O erial Safety and Safaguards, Division of Safeguir:s
..m o e..,ib u..e r. -
w.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.
Ad,., neb,C11Ues,...........................................................
l
,m iKwV Overvi ew o f Regul ato ry Requi rements....................................
1 Scope of Review - Highly Enriched Uranium through O' Hare Airport.......
2 2.
SUMMARY
AND CONCLUSION.................................................
3 3.
POTENTIAL MISUSE OF HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM............................
3
.heit..................................................................
t w
Sabotage...............................................................
3 2
PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM IN TRAhSIT..............
4 Road Shipments.........................................................
4 Contingency Planning...................................................
4 A i r S h i p me n ts..........................................................
4 NRC Inspection...s.....................................................
5 5.
HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS.......................................
5 Radiological Risk......................................................
5 Conclusion.............................................................
5 6.
DATA CONCERNING HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM SHIPMENTS THROUGH O' HARE AIRP0RT...............................................
5
. INTRODUCTION The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 requires the NRC staff to review the safety and safeguards of all facilities and materials licensed under the Atcmic Energy Act of 1954 as amended, associated with the processing, transport and handling of nuclear materials.
Based on a review of trans-portation safeguards for formula quantities of strategic scecial nuclear materials (SSNM) 1/, the NRC issued license conditions in May,1976 and February,1977 augmenting safeguards requirements of 10 CFR P t 73.
In the reviews leading to those license conditions specific attention was paid to import and export shicments using Chicago's O' Hare Airport.
On December 2, 1977, in response to expressions of public concern about shipments of highly enriched uranium (HEU) through O' Hare Airport, Mayor Bilandic requested that NRC carticipate with the City of Chicago in a short-term study of that activity. The study was to be a joint undertak-ing of the City of Chicago and NRC focusing upon aspects of HEU transpor-tation unique to the Chicago area. Although the NRC staff believed HEU shipments were being made safely, it agreed to cooperate with the City of Chicago in restudying the matter.
On February 23 1978, Mayor Bilandic wrote to NRC indicating that he no longer considered it necessary or desirable to conduct a short-term study unique to Chicago. He expressed the belief that urban factors of concern to Chicago could be covered in a generic environmental impact statement on transportation of radioactive materials through urban areas. Accordingly, the joint NRC-Chicago short-term study efforts were terminated.
Since then, independent of the City of Chicago, the NRC staff has comoleted a special regulatory review of the safety and safeguards associated witn shipments of HEU through the O' Hare Airport.
This most recent NRC review covered the period since issuance of license conditions in February 1977.
This report presents the results of NRC's latest staff review covering snipmen:s of highly enriched uranium through the O' Hare Airport since February 1977.
Overview of Reculatory Recuirements The possibilities of illegal acts and the nature and extent cf gotent:c.
nreats of tneft or sabotage involving licensed nuclear materiais anc facilities are continually reviewed by the NRC as part of its everall safeguards program. Regulatory requirements have been established :
Il Strategic s:ecial nuclear material (SSNM) is uranium-235 (ccntai ed
'g;nly er]:ned u-anium, i.e., enriched c 2C :er:er.: cr mere '
- +
J ::: is::::e,, uranium-c;;, or p,;t:niam.
., ormuia cuan ' y c' n-
- agi: special auclear material is 5CCO grams or more computed cy ne f:r uia:
grams = (grams contained U-225} - 2.5 (grams U-233 grars : f.
A for ula cuantity is judged :c be substantially less : nan na: +:
3:
fOr One illici manufacture of nuclear eX 10sives.
. protect botn fixed sites and nuclear material in transit. These regulat:ry requirements are subject to continual review by the NRC.
Licensee ccmoli-ance with NRC requirements is subject to centinuing inspection and enfcrce-ment by the NRC.
In March of 1974, specific requirements in 10 CFR Part 73 for the protec-tion of significant quantities of SSNM in transit became effective.
In early 1976, NRC c;nducted a special review of tne manner in which tnese regulations were implemented by licensees. This led to issuance of a requirement in May of 1976, that licensees provide additional protection for each road snipment througn the use of a separate escort vehicle and improved communications.
In February of 1977, NRC conducted a second review of licensee transporta-
~
tion security performance with specific attention to import and export shipments through Chicago's O' Hare Airport. j In the case of one export shipment which transited O' Hare on February 8 and 9, enroute to the Federal Republic of Germany, NRC inspectors had found infraction of the rules to the extent that there were periods during which licensee guards could not keep all of the shi1 ment under continuous surveillance as required by NRC regulations. There was also another item of nonccmpliance which involved a failure to obtain a hand receipt. As a result of that review, the
-' security measur.es then being employed by licensees were formalized throucn the lisuance. of license conditions requiring the use of an armored trans-porter plus an esc rt vehicle and a minimum of five armed guards for the I
protection of road shinments.
The safeguards contingency planning rule, which became effective in June 1978, requires licensees to preplan routes, schedules, and c0=nunications with local law-enforcement agencies in order to be able tjlmore effectively rescond to a safeguards contingency if one snould arise. -
Sccce of Review - Highly Enriched Uranium through O' Hare Airecrt The NRC staff reviewed regulatory recuirements and licensee :erfornance asscciated with the safeguarding of significant quantities of hignly enricned uranium shipped througn Chicago's O' Hare Airport.
Frce a safe-guards regulatory viewpoint, significant cuantities of highly enri:ned uranium consist of five or more kilograms of the isotope uranium-235.
.ar:n _ N M33 E "5E [egu}atiens publisned b :ne r deral Re:9 :e-
- EU e
il:co, recui-ing licensees ::
eveic; in: -: 's-
- , i t. c (-; rs ment safaguar
- s contingency piar.s.
SUMMARY
AND CONCLUSION Since the review resulting in additional security measures in February 1977, five shipments containing significant quantities of highly enriched uraniym have gone through Chicago's O' Hare Airport, none after 1
All of these shipments were regulated by the NRC.
October 1977 N.'IC inspectors in the field found that these five shipments were made in compliance with NRC requirements and were conducted without incident.
Considering the protection inherent in NRC's regulatory requirements and the confirmed compliance with those requirements by NRC licensees and their transportation agents, the NRC staff believes that regulated trans-portation of highly enriched uranium through Chicago's O' Hare Airport does not constitute an unreasonable risk to the public health and safety and is not inimical to the common defense and security.
POTENTIAL MISUSE OF HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM Theft Highly enricned uranium could be used to fabricate a nuclear exolosive device and, therefore, has significant potential for misuse.
In metallic form, highly however, wnen, enriched uranium could be used directly for such purposes; ccmbined in a chemical compound such as uranium hexafluoride
-- the form in which it is usually shipped--the caterial would have to be l
further processed chemically before it could be used in a nuclear explosive device.
Construction of a crude nuclear explosive device would require more than 5 kilograms of HEU.
It would require persons capable of search-ing and understanding the technical literature in several fields, capable of independently arriving at correct technical judcment and capable of accomplishing the required fabrication operations 1/.
Nevertheless, NRC safeguards programs are premised upon the conservative assumption that theft of a significant quantity of strategic special nuclear material could. result in fabrication of a clandestine fission explosive device.
Sacotace Because of its low radioactivity, sabotage of highly enricned uranium would not, in general, constitute a radiological health and safety threat to the general public.
Conceivably, it might be possible to bring acout a criticality incident by actions involving both removal of neutron absorbers anc rearrangement of the uranium materials to bring :nem closar togeth e r.
Mcwever, if successful, the resulting radiation hazarc, although dangerous, would be restricted to tne vicini y of the nuclear ma erials.
F 7he las: -iEU sni: men; went :nr:g C '2are Ai :cr-in Cc :be
'T-Cr
- acamcer 2,1977 the Mayor cf CM:2;; asked :na: no #urtner sr':re :: Of HEJ be mace frcm O' Hare Aircor: unti' com ieticn of a joint stucy t :ne Payor's of# ice anc NRC. As of Cctober 1973, NRC is not aware :# art sri::er:' : Tans to resume use of C'-are Air:cr: for :nis rur: css.
, ~cr a ciscussion cf this s bje!! see Dc'33r I'Ol'fe"3 i'S i'~ ' '#" Air'2, a Ps:O r-
~.0 :ne Congress of :ne Unitec $;a:es Oy :ne Cff;Ce of i ~~. Ogy Assessment ('977l.
e
. iance als
..ng 243nly e ng a a-until n
nd o r of hour.ritned u lo ding o diparts.ie therequir an n
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least a
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m per EU c
m so is ep the o taining th ut atio In n
thr s
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n Sin aded (cr fat e hi rds eplatake or gua n
c nn d pla ndu tede May 1977 co are fo c
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ghly o taining HEnrich n
c r in pr r
to oper e
u c
T o ing shipm u der, the HEU m
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all hey e comm U
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shipm nts) der ob ia e thatatio co e
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eme es hav equir nts all c
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spot che ke equir o
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eb Until ays tr s bje for thee ts. thee Policer led e that S
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c by NRCMay 1977 t
n s hav po d
T shipm e Pr he in e bertio u
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in, the in to NRCegulatory en of et in hi n
spe tor.
ghly spe to co s
me ctor uh ndu ted c
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o a
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egulatioe inspe ur n
ty with c
the lic er a dated pers a
r a ium is n
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e uh co tin se c
of c
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on lic operlyords ual HEU e fe qual tn n
nl rec e
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com 0
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T the ing frIn this s e ts nec n
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n NRC a in forary to e
x in H
shipm n
spe Uni Airpo om the tr c
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AND e
ctor.ed En ir rt a
the SAFETY to qu l of nt a ific tiois being sh e
v ar s
that e dis nspo onme en er r
sur a
n ip the eview, risk CONSIDER e that and ntal rt cussed of tn S
re to IONS they mcordsped highly Radiolo ic er Modetatem iri ter s
AT in et ms e
n of c
al s (N nrichedpubl et e
e Risk 6EG-0n the Tr Tn U
of ic heal NRC the e r ur e der c
a 0
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th s
thisust r fer ortatio odel m thr m
m n in and MUR s fety r o
a Radiodev loped ugh e
n EG-01 of C
e for NRC'shicago s
exc c
t e tio.o NUREG-0170 70 e
ort sl u
impoin ludes c
a n
ents and ctiv c
Taie ),3 5 4 Har e Material 0
shipmshipm in e
F rt in l a
m :n -ia (p.9 to 5 50 (ents for enriched to follo nts order a
e By ed 4
of ur n 36 a
a iu fo )UFindic c ic th w
m c
the te hni ates.ts),e USA en u
r ra pc. ium in i n
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6a nd % n ;o nd e
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c A-23 4-3a ts dis-2 c =binc latic c
u to 4 dis to A-25 ( 36 (c ec n
u :ic des s
ar e
eA s fecm H:m r nc ns E. 5 mi cf a
m e
ar snio csEMc-n em w e uyds ' a').
s tu,a r cw
_s-of 1.21 x 10-4 latent cancer fatalities p the expected healtn effects are 5.2 x 10 gr persen-rem (Table 3-8, p. 3-14),
latent cancer fatalities for all enriched uranium exports.
Information frcm Table 5-15 indicates that 1.08 x 10-5 latent cancer fatalities are expected from accidents involving enriched uranium shipments.
For both normal transport and accidents, impacts frca imports are very small compared to exports. The fractional (-10-2) latent cancer fatalities from export shipments of enriched uranium are negligible as are the health and safety impacts from all import and export shipments (p.v, item 3.c.).
Conclusion From a radiological health and safety standpoint, the individuals most at risk are the crew of the cargo aircraft or trudk transporting HEU, rather than people of the City of Chicago, Nevertheless, risk calculations indicate that transport of HEU could continue, as it did during the period under review, for thousands of years before we would expect a single early fatality due to the associated radiological hazard.
Based upon these results, the NRC staff concludes that regulated shipment of highly enricned uranium through Chicago's O' Hare Airport does not pose an undue risk to public health and safety.
DATA CONCERNING HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM SHIPMENTS THROUGH O' HARE AIRPORT Since February of 1977, five shipments containing significant quantities of.. _ _.
HEU went through Chicago's O' Hare Airport. There was one shipment in March, one in April, two in June and one in October 1977.
Four of these shipments contained uranium hexafluoride totaling 51.571 Kilograms of hignly enriched uranium. The remaining shioment contained uranium metal and uranium dioxide totaling 106.829 Kilograms of HEU.
The storage and transfer portions of these shipments were insoected by NRC.
In addition, the tnree most recent sniements (all extor:s) were ccnducted under surveillance by NRC inspectors during the entire period of time they were in-transit on_the ground in the U.S.
Durina this entire period, the five commercial licensed HEU shiccents throuch 0' Hare Airport were conducted in compliance with NRC regulations. Tnere were no incidents related to these shipments adversaly affec' ing either shipment security or public health and safety.
.