ML20149H268

Forwards Insp Rept 70-7002/97-04 on 970519-0629 & Nov. Violations Indicate Fundamental Weakness in Controls for Ensuring That Licensee Does Not Operate Outside Design Basis of Plant

ML20149H268
Person / Time
Site:	Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant
Issue date:	07/18/1997
From:	Caniano R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	John Miller UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORP. (USEC)
Shared Package
ML20149H271	List: ML20149H268 ML20149H282 ML20149H286
References
70-7002-97-04, 70-7002-97-4, NUDOCS 9707240301
Download: ML20149H268 (2)

Text

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I My 18,1997 Mr. J. H. Miller Vice President - Production United States Enrichment Corporation

.Two Democracy Center 6903 Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD. 20817

SUBJECT:

NRC INSPECTION REPORT 70-7002/97004(DNMS)

AND NOTICE OF VIOLATION

Dear Mr. Miller:

On June 29,1997, the NRC completed an inspection at your Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection. The results of our inspection over a six-week period covered by the enclosed report indicate that the facility was operated in a safe manner.

Three violations of NRC requirements were identified during the inspection period. The <

violations indicate fundamental weaknesses in your controls for ensuring that you are not operating outside the design basis of the plant. Your response to the violation regarding the L.

inadequate review of the cell treatment valve line up should address the generic concern  !

with the adequacy of procedural controls for high risk evolutions. j The violations are cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice) and the circumstances surrounding the violations are described in detail in the enclosed report. You are required to respond to this letter and should follow the instructions specified in the enclosed Notice

' when preparing your response. The NRC will use your response, in part, to determine l whether further enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory .

requirements. 1 i

in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice" a copy of this letter, its i

. enclosures, and your response will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR).

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o J. Miller We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning these observations.

Sincerely, Original Signed by R0y J. Caniano Roy J. Caniano, Acting Director Division of Nuclear Materials Safety Docket No. 70-7002

Enclosures:

1. Notice of Violation

2. Inspection Report No. 70-7002/97004(DNMS) cc w/encls: R. M. DeVault, DOE S. A. Polston, Paducah General Manager D. l. Allen, Portsmouth General Manager  ;

R. W. Gaston, Portsmouth Nuclear Regulatory Affairs Manager R. L. Woolley, Manager, Nuclear Regulatory Assurance and Policy, USEC Paducah Resident inspector Office Portsmouth Resident Inspector Office i bec w/encis: J. Caldwell, Rlli j T. J. Kozak, Rlll Y. H. Faraz, NMSS PUBLIC (IE 07) 1 DOCUMENT NAME: R:\lNSPRPTS\GDP\ PORT \POR97004.DNM  ;

} To ,oceh e a copy of this document, Indicate in the box:"c" . Copy without diosu,e "E" = Copy whh enclosure *N" = N9) copy /

OFSCE Rlll /M , Rill MV l Rlli .l 0 /

NAME Krsek:dp /\ Hilar)d f' Caniano 0\

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DATE 07//6/97 07/ V97 07/ D97 OFFICIAL k$ CORD COPY l