ML20198H213

Forwards Insp Rept 70-7002/97-12 on 971103-1214 & Nov. Violations Continue to Indicate Weakness in Implementation of Nuclear Criticality Safety & C/A Programs.No Response Required for Violation 70-7002/97-12-01

ML20198H213
Person / Time
Site:	Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant
Issue date:	01/09/1998
From:	Hiland P NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	John Miller UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORP. (USEC)
Shared Package
ML20198H217	List: IR 07100103/2012014 ML20198H213 ML20198H232
References
70-7002-97-12, NUDOCS 9801130229
Download: ML20198H213 (3)

See also: IR 07100103/2012014

Text

_ _ _. _ _ - - - . .._ _. . _ .

L, ,, Des -

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9

Jailuar*y 9, 1998

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,

Mr. J. H. Miller

Vice Presidont Production *

United States Enrichment Corporation

Two Democracy Center

6903 Rockledge Drive >

Bethesda, MD 20817  ;

SUBJECT: NRC INSPECTION REPORT 70-7002/97012(DNMS)

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,

AND NOTICE OF VIOLATION

Dear Mr, Miller:

On December 14,1997, 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 t',e'onclosed report indicate that the facility was operated in a

safe manner.

Four violations of NRC requirements were identified during the inspection period The -

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violations continue to indicate a weakness in the implementation of your nuclear criticality

safety and corrective action programs. The first violation was another example of Violation

70 7002/97010-02 and indicated narrowly focused initial corrective actions. However, the

corrective actions in your Response to Notice of Violation 70-7002/97010-02, received ,

December 23,1997 (CDP 97 2041), were reviewed, and adequately addressed the violation

cited in this report. Therefore, unless the description in '.he December 23,1997, correspondence

does not accurately reflect your corrective actions or your position, no response to Violation

70 7002/97012 01 is required.

Two violations dealt with the failure to follow written procedures for the timely and auurate

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l reporting of losses of nuclear criticality safety controls to the NRC, and the failure to follow written

, procedures for performing static cell treatments. The fourth violation constituted a failure to

calibrate the infrared analyzer carts used at the cold recovery stations on a semiannual basis, as

required by the Technical Safety Requirements,

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The violations are cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice) and the circumstances

surrounding the violations are described in detailin 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 whether further

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enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

, c(cordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's Rules of Practice" a copy of this letter, its

ersasures, and your response will be placed in'the NRC Pubiic Document Room.  % ,

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J. Miller 2

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

Sincerely,

Original signed by

Patrick L Hiland, Chief

Fuel Cycle Branch

Docket No. 70-7002

Enclosures: 1. Notice of Violation

2. Inspection Report 70 7002/97012(DNMS)

cc w/encis: S. A. Toalle, Manager, Nuclear Regulatory

Assurance and Policy, USEC

J. B. Morgan, Portsmouth Acting General Manager

R. W. Gaston, Portsmouth Nuclear Regulatory

Affairs Manager

S. A. Polston, Paducah General Manager

Portsmouth Resident inspector Office

Paducah Resident inspector Office

bec w/encis: R Pierson, NMSS

P, Ting, NMSS

W. Schwink, NMSS

P. Harich, NMSS

Y. H. Faraz, Project Manager Portsmouth, NMSS

R. Bellamy, RI

E. McAlpine, Ril

F. Wenslawski, RIV/WCFO

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\SEC\POR97012.DNM

To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box:"G" = Copy with]ut enc!osure E"=

Copy with enclosure"N"= No copy

OFFICE Rlli l/V l l

NAME Hitand:ib PJ.id

DATE 01/9/98

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

. .

J. Miller 3

Qigtribution

PUBLIC (IE 07) w/encls

OCFO/LARFB w/encls

A. B. Beach, Rill w/encls

J. L Caldwell, Rlli w/encls

C. D. Pederson, Rlll w/encls

R. J. Canlano, Rlll w/encls

Rlli Enf. Coordinator w/encls

CAA1 w/encls

DOCDESK w/encls

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