ML20059L580

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Responds to Which Informed NRC of Administrative Conferences Adoption of Recommendation 90-2.NRC Licensing & Regulatory Processes Provide Opportunities for Members of Public to Provide Comments
ML20059L580
Person / Time
Issue date: 09/12/1990
From: Carr K
NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To: Breger M
ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE OF THE U.S.
Shared Package
ML20059L582 List:
References
NUDOCS 9009270144
Download: ML20059L580 (2)


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  1. o UNITED STATES '

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WASHINGTON, D C,20555 -

September 12, 1990 CHAIRMAN -

Mr. Marshall.J. Breger, Chairman

.Aoministrative Conference of!the United States R120~L Street, N.W.,. Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20037 Dear Mr.-

I am writing in response to your letter of July 13, 1990, which informed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of the Administrative Conference's adoption of Recommendation 90-2, The Ombudsman in Federal A

. Consistent with that-7E c omm e n d a tT5 n',' y o u a sliEU ge n c i e s.

us to consider whether there are areas within the Commission's jurisdiction for' which an-ombudsman would be appropriate and whether we would be able to

l take. steps to use the ideas embooied in the: Conference's recommendation in NRC ' programs.

~

Thc report by David'R. Anderson and Diane M. Stockton, which provides significant insights into the basis for Recommenda-tion 90-2, is'a thoughtful'and comprehensive work.

Improving agency responsiveness ~'to public -inquiries is, of course, an objective which we support.

Our review of your proposal in light of our existing activities leads us to concivde, however, j

that establishment of an office of ombudsman is not necessary

i in this agency at this time to achieve the good government objectives of Recommen.dation 90-2.

We believe that appropriate mechanisms are in place and that we are achieving the objectives underlying the recommendation.

The Commission-regulates radiological public health and safety l

at commercial nuclear facilities licensed by'the Commission, l

c As part of'our; regulatory' program, we have established several 1

mechanisms ^through adich we communicate with the public and resolve th;ir concerns.

Our licensing and regulatory processes i

. provide opportunities for members of the public to provide the~

i agency their-comments.

Procedures have also been established

~

q to address allegations made by' members of the public relating l

to the activities of those we regulate as well as to short-1 comings in the-performance of our employees.

Persons may make 1

such allegations in confidence, if they so desire.

In j

addition, we have offices that act as liaisons to state and i

local governments and media representatives.

Moreover, a very i

large percentage of the agency's-documents are routinely made r=

available to the public through aur public document rooms located throughout the country.

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e 11 9009270144 90o912

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CORRESPONDENCE PNU lI J

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1 We appreciate the opportunity to. review the Anderson-St'ckton I

o report and to consider the merits of establishing an ombudsn.an service.- We will watch with interest for-future' developments -

1 in this area, and we:wili consider further steps to achieve'the

.l goals of Recommendation 90-2 where.they may enhance the

' effectiveness of the Commission's prograts-and relationship to the public it serves.

Sincerely, I

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i Kenneth M. Carr k

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