ML19270H601
| ML19270H601 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/13/1979 |
| From: | Randy Erickson NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19262A636 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-79-471 NUDOCS 7912070218 | |
| Download: ML19270H601 (5) | |
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6/13/79 MEETING AT VIRGINIA PORT AUTHORITY BUILDING JUNE 12, 1979 TO DISCUSS SECURITY FOR SPENT FUEL SHIPMENTS Introduction On June 12, 1979 Robert F. Burnett, Director, Division of Safeguards met with representatives of the Virginia Port Authority; Atlantic Container Lines; Ports-mouth Terminal, Incorporated, and Transnuclear, Incorporated, to review safeguards precautions for spent fuel shipments arriving in the Portsmouth Marine Terminal.
Mr. Burn.ett was accompanied by several members of his staff. The neeting was also attended by representatives from local law enforcement agencies, the De9rtment of Health, Civil Defense and fire department.
A list of attendees is attached.
The maeting commenced at approximately 10:10 a.m., when Mr. Stroud of the Virginia Port Authe 'ity introduced himself and members of his s:aff anc other local area representatives.
Background Discussions --- Spent Fuel Rule Af ter each of the attendees had introduced themselves, Mr. Burnett spent a few minutes reviewing NRC's Interim Rule.for protection of spent fuel shipments.
He discussed tests of spent fuel cask integrity conducted by Sar.dia Corp. which pro-vided background to NRC's action in issuing its Interim Rule. Mr. Burnett also discussed an NRC contract to Battelle Laboratories involving further scale testing of the effects of explosive attack upon spent fuel casks.
The primary ureose p
of these tests is to develop technical data ccncerning amount of solid radioactive inventory that might be released to the environment in a fcr-harmful to the public.
Discussion of Protective Measures The groups engaged in discussion about current practices for hancling spent fuel casks while they are in the marine terminal.
Mr. Stroud indicated that the Port Authority Police exercise responsibility inside the gate of the terminal, while the City Police exercise responsibility outside the gate.
The remaining discus-sions dealt with definition of " urbanized areas" and the transport communications and immobilization features associated with NRC Interim Rule.
Support by Local Police
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Captain Corvello, Virginia State Police, stated that he would prefer to await decisions of localities before committing State Police to a rcutine escort role for spent fuel shipments.
Lt. Brumsey, Portsmouth Police, was hesitant to commit his department to an escort role without prior coordination with his Chief of Police.
He asked about the frequency and schedule of such shipments and the exact routes over which they would move through his jurisdiction.
Lt. Brumsey did state however that the Portsmouth Police would plan to accompany the next spent fuel shipment, but could not commit, at this time, to doing so on a regular basis. Captain Eason, Norfolk Police Depart ent, asked about "cead man" controls and duress alarms for transporters of spent fuel. Mr. Burnett responded by point-ing out that NRC's Interim Rule did not call for such exhaustive security measures 7 9120'g 0 M n
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- 17 Meeting at Va. Port Authority 6/13/79 at this time.
However, depending upon the outcome of NRC's sabotage testing, more or less security requirements might develop.
Review of Port Situation At this point, Mr. Burnett directed discussion toward the actual situation at the marine terminal.
He asked about the type of patrol activity conducted by Port Authority Police and the manner in which security was provided by the patrols.
Mr. Burnett also asked whether there was a 24 hour2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> post at the terminal.
He noted that present Port Police practices seemed to focus on prevention of theft rather than sabotage.
Mr. Stroud suggested that these details should be discussed with Port Operator (Atlantic Container Lines) to establish methods for handling security satisfactorily on an everyday basis.
He suggested that the main meeting be adjourned and a smaller meeting be held intnediately to discuss these details.
Smaller Meeting to Work Out Details for Security at Terminal As suggested by Mr. Stroud, a smaller meeting was immediately convened, attended by representatives of the Port Authority, Atlantic Container Lines, Transnuclear, Inc., and Mr. Burnett and his staff.
Discussions in this smaller meeting involved technical details of storage areas, cover, confinement, transportation indices, physical separation requiremer+s (between casks), and similar matters. The group also studied details of the Port layout and came to a general conclusion about the best location to store s pent fuel casks in the terminal, and the best means for keeping them under security surveillance.
It was concluded that a fenced area should be set up immediately adjoining the warehouse across the street from the main police building, large enough to acccamodate four spent fuel casks. The area would be well lighted and provide cover from the elements, but be open so that the casks were visible at all times to security personnel.
The site selected is approximately 100 yards from a guard post manned 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> a cry by Port Authority police.
Following these discussions, the meeting adjourned and participants went to the marine terminal to inspect the area proposed for spent fuel cask storage.
Public Interest in the Meeting local news media and a local citizen's grcup expressed interest in these discussions.
Mr. Burnett agreed to meet with them at 2:00 PM in the Port Authority Board Room, which he did.
Mr. Burnett made a brief statement at that tire concerning NRC's requirements for protection of spent fuel shipments.
He then answered questions.
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ATTENDEES OF SPENT FUEL MEETING IN NORFOLK, VA. ON JUNE 12, 1979 NAME REPRESENTING G. H. Stroud Virginia Port Authority Johnnie Johnson Portsmouth Terminal, Inc.
Roy C. Bower Portsmouth Terminal, Inc.
Captain James Virginia Port Authority Lt. R. N. Brumsey Portsmouth Police Gordon N. Spies NRC Robert W. Buettner Atlantic Container Lines Robert 0. James Virginia Port Authority C. R. Chambers Portsmouth Terninal, Inc.
William M. Spears Portsmouth Fire Department William W. Black Portsmouth Civil Defense Gregory E. Janeck Atlantic Container Lines Robert F. Burnett NRC Robert A. Erickson NRC Alan E. Walthers NRC' John Mangusi Transnuclear, Inc.
Charlie Price Virginia Department of Health Harry M. Mitchell NRC A. B. Kronn Portsmouth Terminal, Inc.
W. T. Holloway Virginia State Police C. F. Eason Norfolk Police 2}[l I99 W. F. Corvello Virginia State Police Capt. C. R. Thompson USCG MSO Hampt. Rds.
W. C. White Virginia Port Authority H. E. Scheltz, Lt.
Sgt. J. E. Myer Chesapeake Police Department Capt. R. W. Smith Chesapeake Folice Departrent
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/h BO Information received from Transnuclear, Inc., John Mangusi, on July 5, 1979, during a meeting at HRC offices in Silver Spring, and during subsequent conversations Attendees:
R. F. Burnei.t, Director, Division of Safeguards R. G. McCormick, Deputy Director, Division of Safeguards G. W. McCorkle, Chief, Physical Security Licensing Branch D. J. Kasun H. Black
- 4. M. Mitchell D. 3. Matthews J. Mangusi, Transnuclear,.Inc.
John Mangusi stated that they had not been able to locate a ship line that would move the spent fuel from the Etropean port of embarkation to a port on the east coast of the U.S. that was not located in a heavily populated area (such as Morehead City or Wilmington).
Reasons stated include:
-- Pegase ship cask could not be placed.in a standard container becaase of weight distribution.
-- Other lines (Sea Train, Sea Land) would take approximately 6 weeks and would have to transfer cargo at first U.S. port to another ship (an operation that would take place at a port located in a heavily populated area and was also not acceptable).
-- The ship company presently being used, Atlantic Container Lines (ACL) stated that they would not make a special stop at another port not on the schedule.
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-- A Russian ship line was a possibility but time would be required to check it out.
-- Special, dedicated ships such as the Pacific Swan or Pacific Fisher were not available for such shipments.
t The fiRC staff, who had talked to P rt Authorities and to the Coast Guard here in Washington, also were unable to come up with an alternative.
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