ML19274F977
| ML19274F977 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/09/1979 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Riley R SOUTH CAROLINA, STATE OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19274F971 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7908270261 | |
| Download: ML19274F977 (5) | |
Text
'o UNITED STATES l' gr T NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g
.. g WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 k* dN4 /
August 9, 1979 CHAIRMAN The Honorable Richard W. Riley Governor of South Carolina State House Columbia, South Carolina 29211
Dear Governor Riley:
In my letter of July 18, 1979, I discussed briefly the approach the NRC was taking to deal with the various items set forth in your letter to m* cf July 10, 1979 concerning the transportation and disposal of low-level radio-active waste.
Enclosed is a current list of the actions NRC is taking to improve the transportation and disposal of low-level radioactive waste and the status of each action. These actions have been closely coordinated with representa-tives of the Department of Transportation.
I believe the completion of these actions will go a long way toward providing a high degree of ssurance that the transportation and disposal of low-level radioactive waste are being conducted in accordance with DOT, NRC and Agreement State regulations.
I would be pleased to receive any comments you may have on this matter.
\\! Sincerely, f
d Q
Joseph M. Hendrie
Enclosure:
NRC Actions to Improve Transportation and Disposal of Low-Level Radio-active Waste 7908270 2 6/
NRC ACTIONS TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL 0F LOW-LEVEL RADI0 ACTIVE WASTE 1.
Issuance of a bulletin to all NRC and Agreement State licensees in-forming them of their responsibilities for packaging and shipping low-level radioactive waste.
STATUS: Bulletin to be issued the week of August 6, 1979.
2.
Issue an immediately effective amendment to NRC regulations requiring that shipment of radioactive materials be in accordance with DOT regulations.
This will permit the NRC to inspect licensee shipments of low-level waste and to take enforcemei t action for failure to meet DOT requirements.
Augmenting the inspection and enforcement efforts of the DOT with those of the NRC will provide greater assurance that federal safety requirements are being observed.
STATUS: Rule requiring shipment in accordance with DOT requirements under preparation.
Staff will forward the preoosed rule to the Commission for its decision by August 17, 1979.
3.
Modify inspection program to increase inspections of shipping activities at licensee sites and inspect shippers' packages at the burial sites.
STATUS:
Increased inspections of NRC-licensees shipping activities will be implemented beginning September 1,1979.
Inspar ~ 'ons of shipping activities at NRC licensee sites including waste collectors will become part of the current ongoing inspection program at this time. During scheduled inspection of licensees, examination of waste packaging with respect to regulations will be included as a special item. Note that inspection of NRC shippers' packages at the burial sites will be a special augmentation to the current ongoing inspection program. These inspections will be coordinated with the DDT and the State in which the burial site is located.
, 4.
Modify enforcement criteria for violation of NRC regulations covering package and shipping of low-level radioactive waste.
STATUS:
Definition of enforcement criteria will be accomplished as the amendment to NRC regulations (See item 2) is promulgated.
5.
00T and NRC jointly investigate ways to improve the safety of LSA and Type A waste packages.
STATUS:
A study for DOT and NRC will be performed by Stanford Research Institute under a current contract funded by NRC.
The study will investigate and recommend to D0T and NRC possible improvements that would increase the integrity of shipping containers
, well as possible operational improvements to increase safety in transport (e.g., tie-down design, stowage arrangements, e tc. ). This study will be initiated by September 1,1979.
In addition, D0T published on January 8,1979 a proposed rule for coment that would upgrade the package requirements for low specific activity (LSA) materials and would prevent materials in liquid form from being shipped as LSA.
6.
Obtain support from the Society of Nuclear Medicine for a campaign to improve packaging of medical wastes.
STATUS: On July 26, 1979, Richard E. Cunningham met with the President, Executive Director and Chairman of Regulatory Programs of the Society of Nuclear Medicine to bring to their attention the seriousness of waste packaging problems.
The Society agreed that this was a serious problem and immediately started preparation of a letter from the President to Society members outlining the nature of the problem and the possible consequences of not preparing waste packages correctly. The President's letter, which was mailed on July 30, is expected to reinforce the bulletin on this subject which the NRC will send out.
The need for more regional burial capacity was also discussed with the Society. They strongly support the idea that more regional burial grounds are needed and committed to make Governors and Congressional representatives aware of these needs in various regions.
7.
Obtain the support of the Atomic Industrial Forum for a campaign to improve the packaging of industrial wastes.
STATUS: The Chairman of the AIF Radioisotope Committee, Dr. Calvin Brantley, was also present at the meeting mentioned in the Item 6 status.
Dr. Brantley committed to form a Subcommittee immediately to develop a checklist of things medical licensees must do to assure their packages meet standards.
This Subcommittee held its first meeting on August 2,1979.
During the course of the discussions held with the Society of Nuclear Medicine on July 26, it was noted that the source of the problem goes to individual laboratories and hospitals and that the Society should emphasize proper attention to management and packaging of wastes all through the system.
8.
DDT and NRC will cooperatively work to assure that shippers are better informed of the Federal requirements for packaging and transporting waste.
Shippers will be encouraged to telephone DOT and NRC staff when questions arise concerning transportation requirements.
STATUS: NRC and DOT telephone numbers are provided in the bulletin men-tioned in Item 1.
4-9.
Develop a Branch technical position as a precursor to the regulations which are being prepared to establish technical and administrative requirements for disposal of low-level wastes by burial.
The regula-tions will specify criteria for setting up disposal sites, acceptable waste forms, limitations on quantities and concentrations of certain radioisotopes in waste, operational requirements, and criteria for site stabilization and closure.
STATUS: Draft Branch technical position completion date - September 1, 1979.
Draf t waste disposal regulation - late 1980.
.