ML20212C527
| ML20212C527 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/27/1999 |
| From: | Dicus G, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Vietticook A NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20212C516 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-10CFR9.7 SECY-99-214-C, NUDOCS 9909220018 | |
| Download: ML20212C527 (2) | |
Text
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A F F I R M A T I O N VOTE RESPONSE SHEET TO: Annette Vietti-Cook, Secretary FROM: CHAIRMAN DICUS
SUBJECT:
SECY-99-214 - OPTIONS FOR PROCEEDING WITH NRC.S EFFORTS REGARDING THE RELEASE OF SOLID MATERIALS w/ comments Approved X_ Disapproved Abstain Not Participating COMMENTS:
SEE ATTACHED COMMENTS l
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Entered on "AS" Yes X No UTO$ W" CORRESPONDENCE PDR
O Chairman Dicus' Comments on SECY 99-214:
- I approve Option'1 with modifications as desenbed below to SECY 99-214. I would continue the process as described in the June 30,1998, Staff Requirements Memorandum (SRM), which is to conduct workshops (currently scheduled from September through November 1999) that use the issues paper as the starting point for discussions, but would request that the scoping _
process for the GEIS be delayed until these workshops are complete in order to determine if there is a sound basis for going forward with a rulemaking on the unrestricted release of solid materials.
Due to the impending issuance of an intemational recommendation by the European Community in July 2000 for recycled material, coupled with the recent headlines of the future unrestricted release of slightly contaminated recycled materials in Tennessee, I believe that this Commission has an obligation to address this issue on a Federal level, and to try to obtain as 1 much input as possible from stakeholders, the public, and licensees. While I recognize that there appears to be the perception that the Commission has already decided on a path forward, our intent is to strive ahead to develop appropriate actions for a currently unregulated activity in order to protect the public's health and safety from recycled or cleared byproduct materials that enter or originate in this country. I agree with Commissioner Merrifield in stating that we cannot indefinitely delay addressing this problem because selected stakeholders will not attend workshops on this issue, and add that we must be pro-active in finding a solution to address the '
issues conceming recycled radioactive materials before they arrive at our doorstep.
As a final note, as described in the June 30,1998, SRM on this subject, the staff was directed that, "if problems that would delay completing the rulemaking arise in certain categories of solid l materials, then a decision can be made to narrow the scope of the rule." By sending SECY 99-214 to the Commission, the staff has indeed followed the intent of that SRM which was to provide the Commission with information in order for it to be able to confirm the continued direction of this initiative if, in the future, other significant issues arise that the staff believes is of concem or interest to the Commission, they should again inform the Commission of these developments and request guidance when necessary.
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