ML20045H476
| ML20045H476 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/08/1993 |
| From: | Taylor J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Schornack D MICHIGAN, STATE OF |
| References | |
| REF-WM-3 NUDOCS 9307200264 | |
| Download: ML20045H476 (2) | |
Text
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,o June 8, 1993 1
Dennis L. Schornack, Acting Commissioner Low-Level Radioactive Waste Authority Department of Commerce P.O. Box 30004 Lansing, Michigan 48909-7S04
Dear Mr. Schornack:
i I am responding to your letter of May 6,1993, relating to the importance of Performance Assessment investigations properly addressing the implications of climatic conditions on the long-term performance of a low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) disposal facility.
We fully egree with the points discussed in your letter. The Federal regulations covering LLRW disposal require that meteorologic and climatologic conditions be determined for a proposed site during the site selection and characterization activities [10 CFR 61.12(a)]. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has expanded on the importance of obtaining this information in Standard Review Plan 2.2 of NUREG-1200. Once the site-specific climatologic information has been established, it is directly cc: Cdered for its impact en design and performance of a proposed disposal f acility. The NRC-staff has addressed the implications of climatology on design features by providing review guidance in Standard Review Plans 3.2A and 3.3A of NUREG-1200. This staff guidance is primarily directed at disposal units (e.g., concrete vaults) that would be buried beneath an earthen cover, at a depth recommended by the NRC staff to be below the maximum frost penetration of a given site.
The NRC staff has not developed specific licensing review guidance or technical criteria to evaluate an above-ground disposal facility.
It is recognized, however, that above-ground disposal has unique features, including the impact on long-term performance from severe climatological and environmental conditions that would need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The NRC staff is currently preparing a " Branch Technical Position on Performance Assessment for Low-Level Waste Disposal Facilities." This Branch Technical Position will provide methodology and guidance, to applicants and States, that will include consideration of the implications of various climatic conditions on the performance of a proposed LLRW disposal facility at a specific site. The NRC staff believes the process of licensing will result
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in the proper consideration of climatic conditions, and that any negative effects from those conditions will be considered and reflected in the site-specific performance assessment results.
In addition, NRC is conducting research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to assess the durability of concrete for LLRW concrete barrier applications.
Althcugh much of the research work is directed at underground concrete, this work is also applicable to above-ground barriers for LLRW disposal.
- Finally, l6 NRC is also making use of related research and technology work at NIST (e.g.,
recommendations on how to make durable concrete, when it is subjected to frost attack, and the selection of frost-resistant aggregates, given in NIST's expert system, "HWYCON") developed for the nati- 's highway research program.
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Dennis L. Schornack. (Please contact Melvin Silberberg, Chief, Waste Management Branch, Office of Research, at 301-492-3810 if you would like additional information on the NIST~
research program.)
I appreciate your letter and want you to recognize that we welcome suggestions on areas that should be addressed in our LLRW regulatory program.
I trust that our-reply responds to your concerns and demonstrates that we share your concern and are attempting to ensure that environmental and climatic factors will be properly considered in a regulatory licensing review.
Originalsignsd by Sincerely, gpg James M. Taylor Executive Director for Operations HuCSnia11? B' exes fiEC6scuF^ enceLBl oEFt61Dif GE Disffl61itiinTCspfEPFsfeFiiiEE3 r
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