ML20199K191
| ML20199K191 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07001936 |
| Issue date: | 01/20/1999 |
| From: | Merschoff E NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Meyer C TEXAS A&M UNIV., COLLEGE STATION, TX |
| References | |
| EA-98-391, NUDOCS 9901260360 | |
| Download: ML20199K191 (4) | |
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION I
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ARUNGTON, TEXAS 76011-8064 January 20, 1999 EA 98-391 Christopher Meyer Texas A&M University Environmental Health & Safety Department College Station, Texas 77842-3261
SUBJECT:
IN-OFFICE REVIEW OF INFORMATION AND EXERCISE OF ENFORCEMENT DISCRETION
Dear Mr. Meyer:
This refers to the NRC's in-office review of Texas A&M University's letter dated June 11,1998, addressed to Ms. Helen Watkins, Division of Compliance and Inspection, Bureau of Radiation Control, Texas Department of Health, a copy of which was sent to Mr. Charles Cain of this office. Your letter discussed an incident involving possession of licensed radioactive material in an unauthorized location. The NRC's conclusions were discussed with you on December 16, 1998.
Based on our review of information provided in your July 1,1998 letter to Mr. Arthur Tate, Director, Division of Compliance and Inspection, Bureau of Radiation Control, Texas i
Department of Health, and discussions with you and your staff, we have concluded that certain of your activities appear to be in violation of NRC requirements. The violation involved the lilicit use of licensed material in offshore waters, an area of exclusive Federal jurisdiction and a location not specified on your NRC license. Specifically, your letter discussed possession of approximately 20 picocuries of Plutonium-242 (Pu-242), in the form of a reference standard solution, aboard a U.S. Coast Guard vessel in or near Barrow, Alaska, without the required NRC authorization. Possession of Pu-242 in this form and amount in offshore waters is within NRC Jurisdiction and requires either amendment of your NRC license or authorization under a general license purst, ant to 10 CFR 150.20.
Texas A&M University is licensed to possess and use the referenced radioactive material under NRC license SNM-1518. However, this license authorizes use only at the University's main campus in College Station, Texas. The University is also authorized by a State of Texas l_icense (License No. LOO 448) to possess and use the referenced material at specified locations in the State of Texas. However, to use the radioactive material at locations other than the College Station campus or in areas where the NRC maintains jurisdiction, you must first obtain an amendment to your NRC license to include use of material at temporary job sites or seek authorization to use the material under the general license pursuant to 10 CFR 150.20.
After consultation with the Director, Office of Enforcement, it has been determined that enforcement discretion should be exercised in accordance with Section Vll.B.6. of the General Statement of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Action. We have, therefore, refrained from issuing a Notice of Violation for the failure to obtain either a specific license amendment or 9901260360 990120 PDR ADOCK 07001936 C
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Texas A&M University a general NRC license pursuant to Part 150.20. Discretion is appropriate because: (1) the j
amount of radioactive material involved was small, (2) you have completed an extensive i
investigation and implemented thorough corrective actions, and (3) the State of Texas has taken enforcement action related to this matter. Nonetheless, Texas A&M University is on notice of the existence of these requirements and the NRC's enforcement policies, and enforcement action may be taken for such violations in the future.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and your response if you choose to submit one, will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.
Sincerely, Ellis W. Merse l
Regional Admi istrator Docket No. 070-01936 License No. SNM-1518 cc:
Texas Radiation Control Program Director l
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