ML20198F688

Forwards Insp Rept 70-7001/97-04 on 970603-0714 & Nov. Significant Failure to Implement double-contingency Controls for Legacy Process Equipment Is of Concern Due to Amount of Equipment Involved

ML20198F688
Person / Time
Site:	07007001
Issue date:	08/05/1997
From:	Caniano R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	John Miller UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORP. (USEC)
Shared Package
ML20198F694	List: ML20198F688 ML20198F708 ML20198F729
References
70-7001-97-04, 70-7001-97-4, NUDOCS 9708130119
Download: ML20198F688 (2)

Text

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August 5, 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 7001/97004(DNMS) AND NOTICE OF-VIOLATION

Dear Mr. Miller:

- On July 14,1997, the NRC completed a routine resident and an emergency preparedness program inspection at your Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. The' enclosed report presents the results of the inspections.

During the six week period covered by the inspection report, the conduct of activities at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant were generally adequate.

Based on the results of the inspections, the NRC has determined that six violations of NRC requirements occurred. The violations are cited m the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice) and the circumstances surrounding them are described in detailin the enclosed report,

, These violations are of concern because they indicate a lack of rigor in the conduct of some operations, maintenance, and plant modification or change activities.

In addition, the significant failure to implement double contingency controls for legacy process equipment, contaminated with fissile and potentially fissile materials,is of concern because of the amount of equipment involved and the length of time required for your t

staff to identify and correct the violation.

. 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 whether further enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. 4 l

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120043 x 481515JERJR.IH 9708130119 970805 PDR ADOCK 07007001 C PDR _ t, a

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l J. Miller 2-In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice" a copy of this letter, its enclosures, ard your response will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR).

I We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning these observations.

Sincerely, Original Signed by Roy J. Canlano, Acting Director Division of Nuclear Materials Safety Docket No. 70 7001

Enclosures:

1. Notice of Violation

2. Inspection Report No. 70 7001/97004(DNMS) cc w/encts: S. A. Polston, Paducah General Manager W. E. Sykes, Paducah Regulatory Affairs Manager D. l. Allen, Portsmouth General Manager Paducah Resident inspector Office Portsmouth Resident inspector Office J. C. Hodges, Paducah Site Manager, DOE bec w/encts: J. Lieberman, OE J. Goldberg, OGC M. L. Horn, Project Manager, NMSS J. L. Caldwell, Rlll T. L. Simmons, Rlli PUBLIC (IE 07)

DOCUMENT NAME: R:\lN S PR PT S\G D P\PA D U \PA D 97004, D N M To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: C = Copy without enclosure E = Copy with enclosure N = No copy OFFICE Rlli $ @ Rlli g(, Rill )/ J l NAME Reidin'her:iti Hilant' (p Caniapo y DATE 08/6/97 08/5/97 08/y97  %

OFFICIA4. RECORD COPY

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