ML20209E855

Forwards Insp Rept 70-7002/99-07 on 990517-0629 & Nov. Violation of Concern Because Staff Displayed Lack of Rigor in Failing to Ensure That Nuclear Facility Criticality Safety Controls Were Implemented as Listed

ML20209E855
Person / Time
Site:	Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant
Issue date:	07/09/1999
From:	Hiland P NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Adkins J UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORP. (USEC)
Shared Package
ML20209E859	List: ML20209E855 ML20209E867 ML20209E878
References
70-7002-99-07, 70-7002-99-7, NUDOCS 9907150164
Download: ML20209E855 (3)

Text

,.,..,..

Hrug UNITED STATES i 4 NUCt. EAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 8' o REGION lil g j 801 WARRENVILLE ROAD e LISLE, ILLINOIS 60532 4351 tg***** g July 9, 1999 Mr. J. N. Adkins Vice President - Production United States Enrichment Corporation Two Democracy Center 6903 Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20817

SUBJECT:

PORTSMOUTH INSPECTION REPORT 70-7002/99007(DNMS) .

AND NOTICE OF VIOLATION

Dear Mr. Adkins:

On June 29,1999, the NRC completed a routine resident inspection at your Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. The purpose of the inspection was to determine whether activities authorized by the certificate were conducted safely and in accordance with NRC requirements.

At the conclusion of the inspection, the inspectors discussed the findings with members of your staff.

Areas examined during the 6-week inspection period are identified in the report. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of a selective examination of procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations of activities in progress.

Based on the results of the inspection, the NRC has determined that a violation of NRC requirements occurred. The violation is cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice) and the circumstances surrounding the violation are described in detailin the enclosed report. The violation is of concern because your staff displayed a lack of rigor in failing to ensure that nuclear criticality safety controls were implemented following response to an anomalous condition.

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.

(

9907150164 PDR 990709 C

ADOCK 07007002 PDR

[L .

J. Adkins- 4 Distribution:

Docket File w/encle PUBLIC IE-07 w/encis R. Pierson, NMSS w/encls P. Ting, NMSS w/encis W. Troskoski, NMSS w/encls P. Harich, NMSS w/encls Y. H. Faraz, NMSS w/encis J. L. Caldwell, Rlli w/encls C. D. Pederson, Rlll w/encls Rlli Enf. Coordinator w/encis R. Bellamy, RI w/encls EJM, Ril (e-mail)

D. B. Spitzberg, RIV w/encls IEO (e-mail)

DOCDESK (e-mail)

Greens w/o encls

)

1

[

t ;

l 3

1 150015

J. Adkins -2 In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.

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

Sincerely,

/a/ P.L. Hiland Patrick L. Hiland, Chief Fuel Cycle Branch Docket No. 70-7002 Certificate No. GDP-2

Enclosures:

1. Notice of Violation

2. Inspection Report 70-7002/99007(DNMS) cc w/encis: . J. M.- Brown, Portsmouth General Manager P. J. Miner, Manager, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs, Portsmouth H. Pulley, Paducah General Manager S. A. Toelle, Manager, Nuclear Regulatory Assurance and Policy, USEC Portsmouth Resident inspector Office Paducah Resident inspector Office R. M. DeVault, Regulatory Oversight Manager, DOE E. W. Gillespie, Portsmouth Site Manager, DOE DOCUMENT NAME: G:\SEC\POR99007.ONM To receive a copy of this document, Indicate in the box:"C" = Copy without enclosure "E"= Copy with enclosure"N"a No copy lDFFICE Rlli - l A/ l l l MME Hiland:ib 9A W DATE 07/9/99 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

,