ML20207D773

Informs That NRC Eliminating Funding for Ncrpm,Icrp & Nas Committee on Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation Due to Budgetary Restrictions

ML20207D773
Person / Time
Issue date:	07/01/1986
From:	Stello V NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Ward D Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
Shared Package
ML20207D754	List: ML20207D752 ML20207D773
References
ACRS-R-1207, NUDOCS 8607220182
Download: ML20207D773 (1)

Text

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/,_ q 01986 Dr. David A. Ward, Chairman Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission -

Washington, DC 20555

Dear Chairman Ward:

I appreci6te the concern and comments of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards expressed in your letter of May 13, 1986, concerning NRC funding for independent scientific advisory groups in the field of radiation protection. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, the International Co. mission on Radiological Protection and the National Academy of Sciences Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation play important roles in the development of radiation protection concepts, recommendations and information on radiation risks. These areas are, of course, important to NRC's mission, and the NRC has supported all of these greups during past years.

This (;, however, a time of major budgetary reductions in NRC research effor 1,s, particularly these concerned with radiation protection and health effects. These reductions have led to the necessity to terminate research in these areas. We are also experiencing reductions in staffing in these areas.

One of the reasons for cutting back in these areas is to ensure that adequate refotrces are available 10 support our nuclear safety research programs. The NRC, cs you know, has the primary Federal responsibility for reactor safety and regalation; we do not have the primary Federal responsibility for formulating radiat',on protection standards, Because of the budget decreases, we are adfastff,9 car resour:es to support our primary missions. In the radiation protection area, the NRC is r.lar.ing primary emphasis on our inspection and enforcement programs to ensure that public health and safety are protected.

l Consequently, althcagh we believe that the work of these independent advisory groups is very irrgortart we cannot contir.ue to fund these groups while, i

l at the same time, research and technical support programs in areas which are l

more directly responsive .o our program needs are being cut back or terminated.

I I tcpe that you will understand our position.

Sincerely, j '

Victor Stello. .

Executhe Directcr for Operations l

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UNITED STATES 8 o NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Q g f ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

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May 13, 1986 Honorable Nunzio J. Palladino Chairman U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

~ Washington, D. C. 20555

SUBJECT:

SUPPORT OF RADIATION PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS As discussed with you and the other Commissioners during our meeting on May 8,1986, the ACRS believes that the NRC should provide funds in support of the programs of certain key radiation protection organizations. These include the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, the International Commission on Radiological Protection, and the National Academy l

of Sciences Comittee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation.

In addition to the preparation of recommendations for radiation protection standards, these -orgsnizations provide advice on subjects such as the bio-logical effects of ionizing radiation, radioactive waste management, en-vironmental radionuclide transport and surveillance, and emergency planning.

We believe that the work of these organizations is basic to the operations of the NRC and that support of these groups is one of the most cost-effective metnods available to the NRC for the development of independent advice on these and related matters, l

Sincerely,

\% $ 1 Y David A. Waro Chairman l

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