ML20205M382
| ML20205M382 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/26/1999 |
| From: | Diaz N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Vietticook A NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20205M354 | List: |
| References | |
| SECY-99-071-C, SECY-99-71-C, NUDOCS 9904150247 | |
| Download: ML20205M382 (2) | |
Text
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1 NOTATION VOTE RESPONSE SHEET TO:
Annette Vietti-Cook, Secretary FROM:
COMMISSIONER DIAZ
SUBJECT:
SECY-99-071 - ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE I
ALLEGATION PROGRAM FROM REVIEW OF SURVEY FORMS SENT TO ALLEGERS with carents Approved Disapproved Abstain Not Participating COMMENTS:
i See attached CTEents.
l 1
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AI STGNATUR$f '
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'b, '14. 9 9 DATE Entered on "AS" Yes X No 9904150247 990414 PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR 9904'/502'/'2
COMMISSIONER DIAZ'S COMMENTS ON SECY-99-071 l commend the staff for its presentation of a sound set of options, with pertinent considerations I
and background information, on the use of survey forms to measure the effectiveness of the allegation program. I approve the staffs recommendation of the use of Option 1 for a one-year trial period.
Sending a survey form with each closure letter may be the optimal instrument for gaining the most timely and complete feedback. However, the benefits of the feedback and the impact on resources will require close scrutiny at the conclusion of the trial period. The agency must direct its resources to those activities that will be most beneficial to the protection of the allegers.
The potential resource implications of option 1are significant. The staff estimates that option 1 could entail 1500 hours0.0174 days <br />0.417 hours <br />0.00248 weeks <br />5.7075e-4 months <br /> of additional work each year. The staff also expressed the concern that this anticipated effort could affect workload requirements of the coordinators and Advisors, such as working with staff snd management, corresponding with allegers, and resolving initial allegations. I also note that the Commission has substantially increased the resources for the handling of allegations in recent years (Lg, the hours expended on technical allegations rose from approximately 31,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br /> in FY 94 to 64,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br /> in FY 98).
The Commission has also made many improvements in the allegation program by addressing 45 recommendations in the 1994 review team report on the NRC's program for protecting allegers. These include the requirement that closure letters be sent, reiterating the alleger's concerns, describing the staffs findings and rationale, and requesting that the alleger contact the NRC allegation coordinator should there be any question concerning the resolution. The results of the second trial survey of 150 randomly selected allegers conducted in Decembor, 1997, included few, if any, of the most frequent prior complaints about processing, such as untimely action. SECY-99-071 at 3. Perhaps, most important, the last survey apparently did not identify any emerging trends that currently require more intense assessment.
Thus, with the knowledge obtained by the conclusion of the one-year trial period, I believe that the Commission should again seriously consider this matter, including the option of conducting periodic surveys of allegers selected randomly (option 2). As the staff notes, the periodic survey would allow the agency to track and trend the effectiveness of the allegation program without an increase in resources,