ML19290C163
| ML19290C163 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/27/1979 |
| From: | Ryan R NRC OFFICE OF STATE PROGRAMS (OSP) |
| To: | Sutton R LOUISIANA, STATE OF |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8001100186 | |
| Download: ML19290C163 (2) | |
Text
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\\..,...lp ga 37 079 Ref: SA/ LAB R. T. Sutton, Commissioner Office of Conservation State of Louisiana P.O. Box 44275 Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Dear Commissioner Sutton:
This confirms the discussion Messrs. Bolling and Doda held with Messrs.
Hutchinson, Porter and Spell, following our recent review of the Louisiana radiation control program. The review covered the principal administrative and technical aspects of the Department's program.
This included an examination of the program's funding and personnel resources; examination of the emergency response capabilities for agreement materials; and the status of the State's radiation control regulations. There was also a review of selected licensing, inspection and enforcement activities.
In addition, there was a field accompaniment of two program personnel during this review.
As a result of our review of the State's program and the routine exchange of information between the Nuclear Regulatory Commissic, and the State, the staff believes that the State's program for regulation of agreement material is adequate to protect the public health and safety and is compatible with NRC's program for the regulation of similar material. We believe however, that improvements may be made in the program's staffing level.
The program's staff has reported that the number of inspections performed in 1979 as of December 7, 1979 was one hundred and seven. This represents a significant decrease from the one hundred and fifty-three inspections performed during a similar period in 1978.
The program's staff attributes this decrease to chronic understaffing over the past 5 years and to manpower used to investigate several radiation incidents.
The staffing level for the agreement materials program is presently 0.67 person-years per 100 licenses.
This is well below NRC's recommended level of 1.0-1.5 person-years per 100 licenses. There was a significant number (33) of overdue inspections at the time of the review.
It should also be noted that the number of radioactive materials licenses has increased 30% since 1975.
The need for additional staff is becoming critical and we urge that additional full-tie professional positions be added to the radioactive materials program.
You will recall that we made a similar recommendation in our letter of November 17, 1978.
1726 348 8001100175
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R. T. Sutton, Commissioner I would apprectate your review of our recommendations and receiving your specific plans to improve the staffing level. ' A letter to Mr. Porter regarding the technical aspects of the program review ~is enclosed for your informa tion.
I am also enclosing a copy of this letter for placement in the State Public Document Room or otherwise be made available for public review.
Sincerely, Robert G. Ryan, Director Office of State Programs
Enclosures:
As stated cc:
B. Jim Porter NRC Public Document Room State Public Document Room 1726
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