ML20134C114

Discusses Processes That Could Be Followed to Set a Single Set of Decontamination & Decommissioning Criteria for Western Valley Demonstration Project & Part 50 Licensed Facilities at Western Ny Nuclear Svc Ctr

ML20134C114
Person / Time
Site:	West Valley Demonstration Project
Issue date:	09/20/1996
From:	Paperiello C NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:	Piciulo P NEW YORK, STATE OF
Shared Package
ML20134C117	List: ML20134C114 ML20134C153
References
NUDOCS 9609250247
Download: ML20134C114 (3)

Text

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p UNITED STATES g j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON D.C. 206 & 0001

% g September 20, 1996 1

$ Dr. Paul L. Piciulo, Program Director West Valley Site Management Program New York State Energy Research and Development Authority P.O. Box 191 West Valley, New York 14171-0191 l

SUBJECT:

DECONTAMINATION AND DECOMMISSIONING CRITERIA FOR THE WESTERN NEW

YORK NUCLEAR SERVICE CENTER

Dear Dr. Piciulo:

I am responding to your letter to me dated August 14, 1996. In your letter, '

you request the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's guidance with regard to processes that could be followed to set a single set of decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) criteria for the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) and the Part 50 licensed facilities at the Western New York Nuclear

' Service Center (Center). Your letter also requests NRC staff participation in a Citizen Task Force (CTF) that will discuss issues associated with completion of the WVDP and closure or long-term management of the facilities at the Center.

NRC is aware of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's ,

(NYSERDA's) concerns that a single set of D&D criteria be established for both WVDP and the Center. NRC's normal practice is to require remediation of the site to established unrestricted release levels; however, in certain instances, the licensee may elect to present alternative criteria to NRC, usually in the form of a decommissioning plan. The licensee's presentation should clearly state th'e alternative criteria requested and include a detailed performance assessment of the potential impacts to the health and safety of the public and environment during both remediation and long-term care scenarios. The NRC staff will review this submittal and issue an environmental impact statement (EIS), in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 and with proper public participation, before setting final D&D criteria and proposed decommissioning actions for the site in question. 4 I

Because of the unique situation established by Public Law 96-368 (WVDP Act), j the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is required to decontaminate and l decommission certain aspects covered by the Center's Part 50 license "in j accordance with such requirements as the Commission may prescribe." The '

addition of this third party may require that alternative methods be considered to set D&D criteria. Because of the timing of your and DOE's joint draft EIS discussing closure alternatives for the WVDP and Center, we agree g with your suggest. ion that NRC staff meet with appropriate NYSERDA and DOE representatives t'o' formulate a coordinated process for establishing alternative D&D criteria. Please contact Mr. Gary Comfort (301-415-8106) of my staff to organize this meeting. NY kOI 3 l gM'"nanan@gi NRC FEE CENTER CDPy

1 Dr. Paul L. Piciulo j As part of the effort to establish alternative criteria for the Center and the WVDP, NRC is willing to participate with the CTF. However, the availability of NRC staff participation will depend upon the schedules determined for CTF meetings. Again, please contact Mr. Comfort to make appropriate arrangements.  !

1

Sincerely, ORIGINAL SIGNED BY:

I Carl J. Paperiello Carl J. Paperiello, Director Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards cc: Mr. Thomas J. Rowland, Director West Valley Demonstration Project U.S. Department of Energy P.O. Box 191 West Valley, New York 14171 l l

I I

DISTRIBUTION: Ticket #9600298 '

PUBLIC NRC File Center Region I NMSS R/F FCSS R/F FCLB R/F JFuria, RI JRoth, FCOB BReamer, OGC NJensen, 0GC PShea, FCLB RHogg, FCLB Dir. Off r/f JLinehan, PMDA CPoland, RMB

[ A : \'.,:'. 9036.GCC] EDS Proofed 9/11/96 SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE OFC FCLB* C FCLB* DWM* FCLB* FCl#/)

NAME GComfort RPierson MWeber ETenEyck CPahvillo DATE 9/5/96 9/11/96 9/6/96 9/11/96 9/20/96 C = COVER E = COVER & ENCLOSURE N = NO COPY OFFICIAL RECORD COPY W t/o gg RE CENTBA DSM

Dr. Paul L. Piciulo As part of the effort to establish alternative criteria for the Center and the WVDP, NRC is willing to participate with the CTF. However, the availability of NRC staff participation will depend upon the schedules determined for CTF meetings. Again, please contact Mr. Comfort to make appropriate arrangements.

Sincerely, Carl J. Paperiello, Director Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards cc: Mr. Thomas J. Rowland, Director West Valley Demonstration Project U.S. Department of Energy P.O. Box 191 West Valley, New York 14171

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