ML20129D837

Responds to Re Ward Valley Low Level Waste Facility.Review of Health,Safety & Environmental Questions, Posed by Dept of Interior,W/In Four Months by Commission, Possible,However,Addl Time Required to Include Public

ML20129D837
Person / Time
Issue date:	10/11/1996
From:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Murkowski F SENATE, ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES
Shared Package
ML20129D842	List: ML20129D837
References
NUDOCS 9610250162
Download: ML20129D837 (1)

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/  % UNITED STATES a* t NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 4 . # o WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 ' '

October 11, 1996

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CHAIRMAN

The Honorable Frank H. Murkowski, Chairman Committee on Energy and Natural Resources United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I am responding to your September 19, 1996 letter on the Ward Valley low-level waste facility.> You indicate that consideration is being given to asking the Commission to review the health, safety, and environmental questions raised by the Department of Interior for the Ward Valley site. In particular, the Department of Interior would forward its remaining questions to us within 30 i days of enacting legislation for our expedited review on the basis of the i

existing record, and we would be asked to issue a finding within four months of our receipt of those questions on whether current provisions adequately protect public health and safety.

The Commission can comply with such a request if any such legislation is I enacted. However, absent additional resources being provided by legislation, )

we would need to defer other work to make resources available to do the required reviews, although without knowing more about the specific nature and scope of these reviews, we cannot identify what specific work would have to be deferred. Moreover, given the relatively short time provided, we would not be able to involve the public in our expedited review. We estimate it would

require additional time -- estimated to be on the order of 4 to 6 additional ,

4 months -- to obtain, consider, and respond to written comments from the  !

, public.

If we can be of further assistance on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me. j

Sincerely, fw

! Shirley Ann Jackson cc: Sen. J. Bennett Johnston 1

I g r@3 l 9610250162 PDR 961011 COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR pf

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