ML20046B710
| ML20046B710 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/11/1993 |
| From: | Thompson H NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Hastey E INTERIOR, DEPT. OF, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT |
| References | |
| REF-WM-3 NUDOCS 9308060103 | |
| Download: ML20046B710 (4) | |
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June 11, 1993 Mr. Edward Hastey, State Director U.S. Bureau of Land Management Room East 2853 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento, CA 95825
Dear Mr. Hastey:
This letter is a follow-up to our telephone discussion of last week in which I agreed tc provide you with an explanation of NRC's role in the State of California's review of the proposed Ward Valley low-level radioactive waste (LLW) disposal facility.
As you may know, California is an NRC Agreement State.
Under NRC's Agreement State program, the State does not carry out a program on behalf of the NRC, but rather assumes authority by virtue of a formal signed agreement between the Governor and the NRC Chairman. Under the Agreement, the State carries out a program under State statutes and implementing regulati.ons.
In this context, the review of the Ward Valley LLW site is California's responsibility. NRC does not conduct a " duplicate" or independent regulatory program in California for activities covered by the Agreement, but rather reviews the State program for adequacy and compatibility with NRC's similar regulatory program.
Specific guidelines and criteria have been established and are applied by NRC staff for the conduct of such reviews.
NRC has had an active and continuing program of frequent interaction with and periodic on-site formal reviews of the California Agreement State program.
These reviews have included:
- 1) examination of California's overall LLW regulatory program, 2) selected examination of activities involved in review of a license application filed by US Ecology for operation of a LLW disposal facility at the Ward Valley site and 3) provision of assistance to California, upon State request, in addressing specific technical issues. The formal reviews are normally conducted every two years. While the most recent review of the overall California Agreement State program identified problems associated with the nuclear materials area, these problems were not found in the Low level Waste Program.
Formal reviews of the Low Level Waste Program were conducted in 1987, 1989, 1991, and 1993. Based on these reviews NRC has concluded that California has carried out a highly effective LLW regulatory program and has met NRC guidelines applicable to LLW disposal regulation. This includes a determination that California's LLW regulations are compatible; that California has followed NRC licensing guidelines and standard review plan for acceptance and review of the application; and that the California staff, advisory committees and supporting contractual staff are well qualified and capable of conducting a highly effective and thorough review of the application.
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O Mr. Edward Hastey June 11, 1993 l
With regard to the Ward Valley site itself, the site is a very dry, arid site which is similar to the two existing sites in Nevada and Washington. While NRC staff has not done an independent review of the application, the staff has looked at the applicant's performance assessment, the State's review of the performance assessment and the calculated pathway analysis results. The State's review and evaluation of the performance assessment followed NRC review guidance on performance assessment. The results indicate that the Ward Valley site would provide ample margins of safety in protecting public health and safety.
Thus, NRC is confident that the State's licensing program, provided that it is I
carried out as it has been in the past, will provide adequate protection of the public health and safety and the environment with respect to potential operation of the Ward Valley site. NRC will of course continue to conduct assessments of the compatibility and adequacy of the California program.
I trust the above information on NRC's views on the California LLW regulatory program will be of assistance to you.
If you have additional questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
IfM uh. Thompson, Jr.
De y Executive ir ct for Nuclear Materials Sa y, Safeguards, and Operations Support 1
cc:
Dr. Molly J. Coye l
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Mr. Edward Hastey June 11, 1993 With regard to the Ward Valley site itself, the site is a very dry, arid site which is similar to the two existing sites in Nevada and Washington. While NRC staff has not done an independent review of the application, the staff has looked at the applicant's performance assessment, the State's review of the performance assessment and the calculated pathway analysis results. The State's review and evaluation of the performance assessment followed NRC review guidance on performance assessment. The results indicate that the Ward Valley site would provide ample margins of safety in protecting public health and safety.
Thus, NRC is confident that the State's licensing program, provided that it is carried out as it has been in the past, will provide adequate protection of the public health and safety and the environment with respect to potential operation of the Ward Valley site.
NRC will of course continue to conduct assessments of the compatibility and adequacy of the California program.
I trust the above information on NRC's views on the California LLW regulatory program will be of assistance to you.
If you have additional questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Originalsigned by wgh L Thompson, Jr.
Hugh L. Thompson, Jr.
Deputy Executive Director for Nuclear Materials Safety, Safeguards, and Operations Support cc:
Dr. Molly J. Coye g:hastey.kns DISTRIBUTION EDO R/F CKammerer PLohaus DEDS R/F KSchneider KStablein Central Files PDR SECY RBernero RFaulkenberry MMaisch, OGC DBangart DEDS HLTho.pson 6////93
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Mr.' Edward Hastey June 11, 1993
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With regard to the Ward Valley site itself, the site is a very dry, arid site which is similar to the two existing sites in Nevada and Washington.
While NRC staff has not done an independent review of the application, the staff has looked at the applicant's performance assessment, the State's review of the performance assessment and the calculated pathway analysis results.
The State's review and evaluation of the performance assessment followed NRC review guidance on performance assessment.
The results indicate that the Ward Valley site would provide ample margins of safety in protecting public health and safety.
Thus, NRC is confident that the State's licensing program, provided that it is carried out as it has been in the past, will provide adequate protection of the public health and safety and the environment with respect to potential operation of the Ward Valley site.
NRC will of course continue to conduct assessments of the compatibility and adequacy of the California program.
I trust the above information on NRC's views on the c alifornia LLW regulatory program will be of assistance to you.
If you have additional questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Orialnal signed by #.
gh L.Thompsca, Hugh L. Thompson, Jr.
Deputy Executive Director for Nuclear Materials Safety, Safeguards, and Operations Support cc:
Dr. Molly J. Coye 9:hastey.kns DISTRIBUTION EDO R/F CKammerer PLohaus DEDS R/F KSchneider
/
Central Files /.
KStablein PDR SECY RBernero RFau lkenberry MMaisch, OGC DBangart DEDSM'[4 HLThofips'on 6////93