ML19290G660
| ML19290G660 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000036 |
| Issue date: | 11/28/1980 |
| From: | Davis A, Fisher W, Peck C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19290G658 | List: |
| References | |
| 70-0036-80-02, 70-0036-80-03, 70-0036-80-04, 70-36-80-2, 70-36-80-3, NUDOCS 8012180234 | |
| Download: ML19290G660 (5) | |
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4 U.S NUCLEAR REGULATORY Cort'llSSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCER 1NT REGION III Repo:ts No. 70-36/80-02; 70-36/80-03; 70-36/80-04 Docket No. 70-36 License No. S N!!- 33 Licensee:
Combustion Engineering, Inc.
Nuclear Power Systems Windsor, CT 06095 Facility:
llematite Pteeting:
Telephone conversation between licensee management and Region III r res nta ives.on November 14, 1980 W
~ Uu t NRCRepresentatives/,.A. h. Davis, Chief Fuel Facility and ffaterials Saf tv anch LL c
t W.
L. Fisher, Cnief Fuel Facility Projects and Radi,ati,on. Support Section C.
. Pec uel Facility Inspector
.f, Approved By:
A. B. Davis, Chief
_// M d dc_
Fuel Facility and ria*erials Safety Branch Summary:
Telephone conversation on November 14, 1980 (Reports No. 70-36/80-02; 70-36/8U-03; 70-36/80-04)
Subjects Discassed: The purpose of the communication was to acquaint licensee management with NRC's Systematic Assessment of Licensee Performance (SALP) program and to describe the results of the appraisal of the liematite facility, Results: The licensee was informed that during the appraisal period the regulatory performance of the liematite facility was acceptable and that there currently are no safety concerns.
s012180
DETAILS 1.
Participants F. J. Pianki, General Manager, Nuclear Fuel Fabrication, Combustion Engineering A. B. Davis, Chief, Fuel Facility and Materials Safety Branch, Rill W. L. Fisher, Chief, Fuel Facility Projects and Radiation Support Section, RIII C. C. Peck, Fuel Facility Inspector, RIII 2.
Discussion The purpose of the SALP program was explained. The licensee represen-tative was informed that a review of the Hematite facility's regulatory performance for the six month period ending October 15, 1980, had dis-closed only one item of noncompliance, a deficiency involving nuclear material accountability, As a result of this acceptable performance, NRC plans to reduce the frequency of routine health and safety inspections from three to two per year.
The frequency of nuclear material account-ability and environAental/ emergency planning inspections is expected to continue at two/ year rid one/ year, respectively.
The status of the tsu small, unused lagoons at Hematite was discussed.
The NRC explained that the lagoons were not a present problem but that removal and disposal of the uranium waste in the lagoons should continue to be a goal.
3.
Licensee Comments The licensee representative confirmed the understanding that removal of the radioactive waste from the lagoons is intended.
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REGION Ill LICENSEE PERFOR'1ANCE APPRAISAL Facility:
Hematite Licensee:
Combustion Engineering, Inc.
Unit Identification Docket No.
Licensee No./Date of Issuance 70-36 SNM-33 Appraisal Period:
4/15/80 - 10/15/80 Review Board Members:
W. L. Fishe r, Cha i rman A. B. Davis C. C. Peck R. L. Stevenson, NMSJ A.
Number and Nature of Noncompliance Items Noncompliance category:
Violations 0
Infractions 0
Deficiencies 1
Areas of Noncompliance:
(Points)
Safeguards Accountability 2
(Several internal SNM transfer forms were not signed as required)
Total Points 2
B.
Number and Nature of Concerns Disposition of On Site Lagoons There are no existing concerns that require licensee action. However, two small, unlined lagoons within the perimeter fence may require
reeoval in the future.
In 1978, the licensee informally agreed with NMSS to discontinue using these lagoons.
Potassium hydroxide scrubber solutions were the only liquids then being deposited in the lagoons.
The licensee subsequent.ly developed methods for reusing and eventually solidifying the solutions for offsite burial.
Three monitoring wells are sampled monthly to detect possible migration of radionuclides frcm the lagoonc in the direction of groundwater flow toward a nearby cre ek.
Samples from the well nearest the lagoons have detected con-cent rations of uranium and technetium within 10 CFR Part 20 limits.
The concentrations have decreased since use of the lagoons was discon-t inued. The other two wells have detected no significant radioactivity.
In 1979, the licensee voluntarily began removal of the sludge from the lagoons.
The activity was discontinued after many drums of material had been removed.
The licensee is considering methods of disposing of the sludge and how best to proceed with removing and disposing of the deeper, hard packed material in the lagoons.
Removal of all the radioactivity is the long term goal.
There is no concern that the lagoons will be used again or that radio-activity will migrate to the creek.
Migration appears unlikely and would be detected. The lagoons could become a concern, however, if more stringent NRC regulations or environmental requirements should be forthcoming.
C.
Escalated Enforcement Actions Civil Penalties None Ord rs t
None Immediate Action Letters None D.
Managemet.t Conferences Ifeld During Past Twelve Months None E.
Justification of a Change in Inspection Frequency /Scoge for several years, it has been customary to perform health and safety inspections at Hematite at least three times a year.
There are also
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at least two safeguards accountability irispections and one environ-mental and emergency planning inspection.
The justification for the three health and safety inspections has been that one inspection pro-cedure, Operations Review, requires this frequency.
Other procedures require only semiannual or annual inspection.
Because of the consis tently good performance of the Ifematite plant, the frequency of health and safety inspections should be reduced to twice per year.