ML20045G131
| ML20045G131 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/12/1991 |
| From: | Miller V NRC OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL & PUBLIC AFFAIRS (GPA) |
| To: | Bilhorn S, Boyle R, Kotra J NRC |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20042C965 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9307120144 | |
| Download: ML20045G131 (3) | |
Text
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QUESTION 31 y
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February 12, 1991 F
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Note for:
Susan Bilhorn, OCM/KR Janet Kotra, OCM/JC Regis Boyle, OCM/FR Mike Weber, OCM/KC George Pangburn, EDO
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IDAHO RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM f
As you may be aware, Idaho has been experiencing problems in the Agreement State program. The problems can be traced primarily to a lack of staffing. Due to the specific problems cited in l
t the attached letter, we are planning to fax the letter to Idaho on Wednesday, February 13, 1991, for an immediate response.
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a y L. Miller, AD/SP/GPA i
Attachment:
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Mr. Richard Donovan, Director Department of Health and Welfare 1410 North Hilton Boise, Idaho 83706
Dear Mr. Donovan:
As you know, since October 1987, the NRC has been closely following Idaho's actions to address the lack of an adequate staffing level fcr the Agreement Materials Program and the continuir.g increase in licensing and inspection backlog in the Departmer:t's Hazarcous Materials Bureau.
I have cormur.icated with you before on this subject on July 23, 1990. However, nost of our cor.ounications, both verbal and written, have been with Hs. Cheryl Koshuta, Chief, Hazardous Hattrials Bureau, Division of Environmental Quality (see enclosures).
L'e have been informed by hs. Koshuta that efforts to resolve the present furding and stcffing shortfall for the Agreement Materials Program would be addressed in the Idaho legislative session beginning in January 1991. She further stated that it was her understanding that the Governor's office was aware of the situation with the Agreement State Program and is supportive of efforts to reduce the present funding and staffing shortages. Now, recent events have increased our concern. Specifically, Ms. Koshuta has resigned; we still have not received information concert,ing either a State decision to adequately staff the Agreement Materials Program or a State decision to return the Agreement Materials Program to the NRC; and we understand that your recent request for limited technical assistance fror. Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) has been turned down.
Because of NRC's overall responsibilities for radioactive materials, the NRC must see that the health and safety of the citizens of Idaho are assured. If the State of Idaho is unable to adequately fund and staff the Agreement Materials Program to such an end, then the NRC is obligated to undertake such regulatory functions.
It is for these reasons that we must have Idaho's decision soon on this matter. This issue becomes more critical in light of Ms. Koshuta's resignation.
We are concerned that NRC may soon be required to initiate plans to accomplish regulatory functions for Agreement Materials in Idaho such that the health and safety of the public are assured. Section 274j(2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, provides for a temporary suspension of a State's agreement in such cases either at your request or on our initiative.
Invoking this section of the act would provide NRC with the authority to undertake all regulatory functions for Agreement Materials in the State of Idaho, which includes all licensing and inspection activities.
In such an event, NRC's fee schedule for licenses and inspections would be imposed on licensees in the State of Idaho during the period of temporary suspension.
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8 Letter to Mr. Richard Donovan 3
I request you inform me within 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> of the receipt of this letter of your plans to deal with the issues for this program in Idaho.
Sincerely, Carlton Kammerer Director State Programs Office of Governmental and Public Affairs cc:
Mr. Joe Nagel, Director Division of Environmental Quality Mr. Brian Monson Hazardous Materials Bureau
Enclosures:
1.
Ltr 7/23/90 C. Kammerer to R. Donovan 2.
Ltr 9/13/90 R. Donovan to C. Kammerer 3.
Ltr 10/5/90 C. Kammerer to C. Koshuta 4
Ltr 10/17/90 C. Kcshuta to C. Kammerer 5.
Ltr 11/5/90 C. Koshuta to C. Kammerer 6.
Lir 11/16/90 C. Kammerer to C. Koshuta 7.
Ltr 11/20/90 C. Koshuta to C. Kammerer Distribution:
SA RF DIR RF RDMartin WLBrown ABBeach JTGilliland CAHackney JMTaylor, ED0 HRDenton, GPA RMBernero, NMSS CKammerer, SP VLMiller, SP FCombs Idaho File cmWW g N$
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LATE :2//l/91
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- 2/
/91 Ott1CI AL RECORD COPY
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