ML20095H323

Informs of John Carroll Univ Decision to Close Siesmology Lab & Discusses Adverse Effects of Decision on Nuclear Safety by Reducing Ability to Accurately Monitor Seismic Activity in Northeast Oh

ML20095H323
Person / Time
Site:	Perry
Issue date:	04/18/1992
From:	Hiatt S OHIO CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE ENERGY
To:	Hall J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 9204290343
Download: ML20095H323 (1)

Text

_

OHIO CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE ENERGY, INC.

8275 MUNSON-ROAD MENTOR, OHIO 44060 (216) 255-3158 April 18, 1992 Mr. James R.

Hall, Sr. Project Manager Project Directorate III-3 Division of Reactor Projects III/IV/V Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Re: Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1, Docket No. 50-440

Dear Mr. Hall:

I am writing to inform you of the recent decision of the John Carroll' University to-close its seismology laboratory.

's outlined on the following pages, this action will have a-t adverse effect on nuclear safety by reducing our ability to accurately monitor seismic activity in Northeast Ohio.

It-is OCRE's position.that the Perry licensees should be required to fund seismic monitoring, and additional geophysical research, to ensure that the-public health and safety are not-threatened by earthquake-induced nuclear accidents.

LOCRE also believes there should be increased federal funding for such research.

OCRE is aware of the unfortunate impact of budget cuts over the past-decade on NRC-sponsored research and -

is.willing to provide assistance in urging Congress to restore l:

this. Vital funding.

Please'let me know if OCRE can be of service in this or other matters promoting nuclear-safety.

-Sincerely, f

Susan L..Hiatt (1

OCRE Representative-1

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WidftGprend deHtr:P:: tion ,, ?il i S is d by Ortrthquaht j. i cloning of tho John Carr4 1 ..,i m slogy station u a

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It 13 US Of h t if a I t h:t t ItWdihC [r-f G u i E Hs i c i;OniLOring ( Jfuld mict ruu. a rt:hi in No r t b.: ac t preferak!y, addiL anal LyJ" 4f uouJod Ohio-ba ructor,d and i > John Carroll closesidepartment, j e Lake, Geauga seismology stations TErc have ten facilities in West- . By Robin L Daugherty crn Oh,o operated by the U nsersity i bsaaau stan wnw of Michigan at Ann Aibor, but the expire; pant funding the project willm Septernber Ott The closing of John Carroll Univer-federal . si:)'s seismology department and latw - _mator) will put an end to operations imiversity hat decided against seeking at live network stations in Lake and alternate funding.: Geauga countics. ,lohn t Carroll opened its network The Rev< William Ott, department stations in 1986 following anLearth- . director, said tracking stations in Wit-quake in Lake and Geauga that regis-hioghby/ Mentor, Leroy Township, tered 5.0 on the Ilichter Scale. Chester Township and East Claridon Funding for the project came from Townsh p wdi close with the depart- - the :universit) and -- one-time dona-ment this sut :mer* tions frein GI throur,h the Perry Nu-

Ott said ciming the stations; will ; clear Power Plant and (Cl Americas-

. make it difhcult to track seismic ac-lac,;in' Peny, funding totaled about tivity m Northeast Ohio. - $120,000 over the past six years, Ott. Small. quakes: won t. even be de-- sa dbThe university had-to cut the

tected at all e3 cept by_ those who feel pr@am fudirm following recent, se-

, therr,, Ott saidc - - vere budgett cuts from the state. l Unisersityi officials plan 'to shut J Ott said he suggested a proposal- _ down seismology ope (ations over the that would keen several stations open sumrner because funding has run ' ut - gg ,;g , retired seismal-o and Ott w di be leaving the.univegity- - departrnent director _for ' about for work in La Pai, bohvia' %12,000 to '515h00 so there would hince' there is no ready fooding ' - still be wmi scismic tracking. The' available, the university hmt to make un.iversity declined the proposal, he the decisian whether to keep the tab 88"j' open or close it" Ott said. '"After thought and because I was leaving, Thi impact of closing the stations is ' they decied to shut it down." hard to predictc Ott-said, but the 6tt said the Perry Nuclear. Power stations have been helpful in tracking Plant will continue to hase a' few 5eismie movement.-lie said rescatch - seismic tracking. instnnnenh in oper-has pimen that a fault ur weakness -atioi Other than that, the nearest - called the Akron hlagnetic_ llound-station will be in New York State, he aries by~ researchers - hes below the suiface of Northeast Ohio;- L

said,

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Contact:

Susan L. tri a t L, Director, OC Hl., (316) l ~ - -}}