ML20023D607

Requests Info Re Ofc of Inspector & Auditor (Oia) Inquiry Into Zimmer Matter.Reasons for Removal of Documents from Oia Ofcs Questioned.Withholding of Documents Contributed to Delay in Public Recognition of True Status of Project

ML20023D607
Person / Time
Site:	Zimmer
Issue date:	12/07/1982
From:	Udall M HOUSE OF REP., INTERIOR & INSULAR AFFAIRS
To:	Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20023A442	List: ML20023D607 ML20023D608
References
NUDOCS 8305240272
Download: ML20023D607 (1)

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,;,,, December 7, 1982

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,, o .The Honorable Nunzio Palladino Chairman United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 -

Dear Mr. Chairman:

y In response-to my request, Mr. David Gamble, a former member of i

the staff of the NRC Office of Inspector and Auditor (OIA ) , has provided the Subcommittee documents pertaining to the OIA ing'uiry into certain aspects of the Zimmer matter. In his cover

, " letter,, Mr. Gamble raises questions about the integrity of the

. OIA investigation of the adequacy of the NRC Region III l r. investigation of Mr. Thomas Applegate's Zimmer allegations.

Of particular concern is that Mr. Gamble was directed to remove documents from the OIA offices with the result that no mention was made of these documents in the NRC response to a Freedom of l '7

Information Act (FOIA) request submitted'by the Government l  ; Accountability Project (GAP). Moreover, it appears that at j .. least one important Zimmer document which remained in the OIA i, i files, the document summarizing the OIA interview with Mr.

l 'Harpster, was neither included in the OIA Zimmer report nor

. mentioned in response to the GAP FOIA request.

S - 'The . withholding of such documents had the ef fect of placing the g Zimmer situation in a more favorable light than was justified by y the facts. The withholding of these doctments contributed to 3 the) delay in public recognition of PA trae status of the Zimmer project.

Accordingly, I would appreciate pui p;caiding me the following

,['i information: (1) the reason for Gir. Gamble being directed to

,1 - 1 remove' documents from the OIA offices; (2) the basis for the NRC p' not indicating to GAP the existence of these documents; (3) the rationale for the failure to include Mr. Harpster's interview in

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the OIA Zimmer report of August 7, 1981; (4) the results of any NRC inquiry into the propriety of OIA withholding Zinmer documents; and (5) an enumeration of steps taken by ths Commission to insur'e against further acts of improper l

withholding of documents.

Sincerely, 0305240272 830414 f PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR MORRIS K. UDALL

, Chairman

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