ML20137D417
| ML20137D417 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant |
| Issue date: | 03/21/1997 |
| From: | Woolley R UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORP. (USEC) |
| To: | Pierson R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| GDP97-0038, GDP97-38, NUDOCS 9703260157 | |
| Download: ML20137D417 (2) | |
Text
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United States Enrichment Corporation j
D 2 Democracy Center 6903 Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 Tel: (301)564-3200 i
Fax:(301) 564-3201 Uniteil State.*
Eririelimerg Corporation March 21,1997 i
Mr. Robert C. Pierson SERIAL:GDP97-0038 Chief, Special Projects Branch Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 i
Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS)
Docket No. 70-7002 i
Correction to Information Regarding DOE Material Storage Areas (DMSAs)
Dear Mr. Pierson:
This letter corrects infornnun previously submitted to the NRC prior to final certification of the Portsmouth Gaseous DifrLaion Plant which has been determined to be in error. Neither the information previously submitted nor the corrected information provided below has any significant implication for public health and safety or common defense and security.
On October 31,1996, USEC submitted letter GDP 96-0) 89 for POP.TS which stated that all of Building X-326 (except for the X-326L Hazardous Waste Storage Area and the X-326 product Withdrawal Area) and all of the leased areas in Building X-705 (except for the Small Cylinder Cleaning Area) could be turned over to NRC regulation without exceeding the Category III limits for Special Nuclear Material (SNM). fhis statement was based on the results of an inventory of static nuclear materials in Buildings X-326 and X-705.
The above-referenced letter further stated that the inventory exempted certain materials described therein. Specifically, the inventory did not include miscellaneous items potentially containing HEU materials, including non-installed process components, legacy wastes, contaminated instruments, etc., which were destined to be transferred to non-leased DMSAs per Compliance Plan Issue A.5.
In accordance with Compliance Plan Issue A.5, USEC was to demarcate the location and boundaries ofDMS As on in d premises and retum these areas to DOE control and oversight. This Compliance Plan item was completed by USEC m December 31,1996. At that time, numerous large components (compressors and converters)
J miscellaneous smaller items (scrap material) believed to contain HEU deposits had not been p! aced in a DMSA. This process equipment and scrap material was considered to be exempted from the USEC possession inventory bared on the 9703260157 970321
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Mr. Robert C. Pierson March 21,1997 GDP 97-0038, Page 2 inaccessibility of the contained and potentially contained HEU deposits
. This determination was made based on a review of the Portsmouth Safety Analysis Report (SAR), Fundamental Nu Material Control Plan (FNMCP), and Compliance Plan commitments. The disposition of th items and other materials designated for storage in DOE approved DMSAs was discussed w early in December 1996. Following a series of discuscions and negotiations an agreement wa reached on December 31,1996, regarding the establishment of sufficient DMSAs to maintain U in compliance with NRC certification requirements.
The Portsmouth NRC Senior Resident stated his disagreement with the above interpret during a discussion on February 24,1997.
After further review of previous commitments made during the certification process regarding HEU deposits, USEC discovered that an ea for inaccessible deposits was deleted in a response to Question 1.0Q18 which was submitte NRC via USEC letter GDP 96-0133, dated July 2,1996.
DOE and USEC have subsequently agreed upon additional DMS As in X-326, which would not be under NRC regulatory oversight, in order to accommodate the equipment and other mat previously believed to be exempt.
On February 28, 1997, an addendum incorporating these additional areas into the lease agreement was signed by USEC nd DOE. DMSA boundaries subsequently established to enclose the materials and equipment in question.
Based on the above, tj? 3C leased areas under NRC regulation were in compliance wit Category III possession limits for special nuclear material prior to transition of regu on March 3,1997.
There are no new commitments contained in this letter. Ifyou have any questions o additional information, please contact Ron Gaston at (614) 897-2710.
Sincerely, S.D 6A_Qf.
Robert L Woolley Nuclear Regulatory Assurance and Policy Manager cc:
NRC Region III Office NRC Resident Inspector-PORTS DOE Regulatory Oversight Manager Ml
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