ML20216C380
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[ k UNITED STATES j
t NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20666 4 001
.....+ May 4, 1998 Aubrey V. Godwin, Director Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency 4814 South 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85040
Dear Mr. Godwin:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Govemor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materialin quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Arizona entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on May 15,1967.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such i NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective )
means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more '
readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Prograrn (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and L._ J '
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I Aubrey Godwin Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC rnanagers and an j Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly j evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in l the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs, at (301) 415-3340. j Sincerely,
. LJ. Q L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Operations Distribution:
DlR RF DCD (SP03) EDO r/f RSAO's POR (YES/)
RSLO's Agreement State File ASPOs
- NOTE: Identical letters sent to the attached listing.
DOCUMENT NAME: G:tHEALTH.SCD "E" = Copy eth attachment / enclosure "N" = No copy Ta receiro a copy of this document. Indicagn the 'com: "C" = Cg without attat:hment/ enclosure i
OFFICE SJOSP l OSP:DQMl OSP:D [ ql DEDR l EQO] l NAME SCDroggitis:gd PHLohaus ' 'le RLBangart M0 HLThompson LJCalk3th DATE 04/2d/98 04/ti/98 f 04/fi/98 04/ /98 QM//98 OSP FILE CODE: S P-A-4 1
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List of State HealthAddressoes for Letter datad: 5/4/98. l Aubrey V. Godwin, Director (5/15/67) Christopher G. Atchison, Director (1/1/86)
Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency lowa Department of Public Health 4814 S. 40th Street Lucas State Office Building Phoenix, AZ 85040 321 East 12th Street Des Moines, IA 50319-0075 Sandra Nichols, M.D. (7/1/63) cc: S. Parveen Baig, SLO j Director Donald A. Flater Arkansas Department of Health 4815 W. Markham Gary Mitchell, Secretary (1/1/65)
Little Rock, AR 722u5-3867 Kansas Department of Health and Environment cc: David D. Snell:ngs Landon State Office Building 900 SW Jackson Street S. Kimberly Belshe, Director (9/1/62) Topeka,KS 66612-1290 State Department of Health Services cc: Vick L. Cooper 714/744 P. Street, P.O. Box 942732 Sacramento, CA 94234-7320 John Morse, Secretary (3/26/62) l cc: William J. Keese, SLO Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services Edgar D. Bailey 275 E. Main Street 4th Floor Frankfort, KY 40621 Patti Schwayder, Executive Director (2/1/68) cc: John A. Volpe, Ph.D.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment J. Dale Givens, Secretary (5/1/67) 8100 Lowry Boulevard Loaisiana Department of Environmental Quality Denver, CO 80220 6928 P.O. Box 82231 cc: Robert M. Quillin Baton Rouge, LA 70884-2231 cc: William H. Spell James T. Howell, M.D. (7/1/64)
Secretary Kevin W. Concannon, Commissioner (4/1/92)
Florida Department of Health Maine Department of Human Services 1317 Winewood Blvd. 11 State House Station Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700 Augusta, ME 04333 cc: William A. Passetti cc: W. Clough Toppan, SLO Jay Hyland Lonice C. Barrett, Commissioner (12/15/69)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Jane T. Nishida, Secretary (1/1/71) 205 Butler Street, SE, Ste.1252 Maryland Department of the Environment Atlanta, GA 30334 2500 Broening Highway cc: James Setser, SLO Baltimore, MD 21224 Thomas E. Hill cc: Merrylin Zaw-Mon, SLO Roland G. Fletcher Thomas W. Oitciger, Director (6/1/87) lilinois Department of Nuclear Safety Howard Koh, Commissioner (3/21/97) 1035 Outer Park Drive Massachusetts Department of Public Health Springfield,IL 62704 250 Washington Street Boston, MA 02108-4619 cc: A. David Rodham, SLO Robert M. Hallisey 1 j
Ed Thompson, M.D. (7/1/62) James T. Dillon, Acting Commissioner (10/15/62)
State Health Officer New York State Depadment of Labor Mississippi Department of Health State Office Building #12 2423 N. State Street, P.O. Box 1700 W.A. Harriman Campus Jackson, MS 39215-1700 Albany, NY .12240 cc: Rn,ad W. Go# cc: F. William Valentino, SLO Rita Aldrich Deb 7 homas, Policy Secretary (10/1/66)
Nebrab Health and Human Services System Neal L. Cohen, M.D.
301 Centennial Mall South, P.O. Box 95026 Commissioner of Health Lincoln, NE 68509 New Yea City Department of Health cc: David P. Schor, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P., SLO 125 Worth Street, Room 331, Box 28 Gina Dunning New York City, NY 10013 cc: F. William Valentino, SLO Charlotte Crawford, Director (7/1/72) Kenneth R. Daniel Nevada Department of Human Resources .
505 East King Street, Room 600 Murray G. Sagsveen '9/1/69)
Carson City, NV 89710 State Health Officer cc: Robert R. Loux, SLO North Dakota Department of Health Stanley R. Marshall State Capitol-Judicial Wing 600 E. Boulevard Avenue Terry L. Morton, Commissioner (5/16/66) Bismarck, ND 58505-0200 New Hampshire Department of Health cc: Dana K. Mount and Human Services 6 Hazen Drive Wayne McDevitt, Secretary (8/1/64)
Concord, NH 03301 North Carolina Department of Environment cc: Woodbury P. Fogg, SLO Health and Natural Resources Diane E. Tefft P.O. Box 27687 Raleigh, NC 27611-7687 Mark E. Weidler, Secretary (5/1/74) cc: Billy Cameron, SLO New Mexico Department of Environment Richard M. Fry 1190 St. Francis Drive, P.O. Box 26110 Santa Fe, NM 87502 Gary Weeks, Director (7/1/65) cc: Benito Garcia Oregon Department of Human Resources Human Resources Building John P. Cahill, Acting Commissioner (10/15/62) 500 Summer Street, N.E.
New York State Department of Environmental Salem, OR 97310 Conservation ec: David Stewart-Smith, SLO 50 Wolf Road Ray D. Paris Albany, NY 12233 cc: F. William Valentino, SLO Patricia A. Nolan, M.P.H. (1/1/80)
Paul J. Merges Director Rhode Island Department of Health Barbara A. DeBuono, M.D., M.P.H. (10/15/62) Cannon Building, Three Capitol Hill Commissioner Providence, RI 02908-5097 New York State Health Department cc: Peter Todd, SLO Mayor Erastus Corning 11 Tower Marie Stoeckel Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12237-0001 cc: F. William Valentino, SLO Karim Rimawi, Ph.D.
Douglas E. Bryant, M.P.H. (9/15/69) William R. Archer, Ill, M.D. (3/1/63)
Commissioner Commissioner of Health South Carolina Department of Health Texas Department of Health and Environment Control 1100 W. 49th Street 2600 Bull Street -
Austin, TX 78756-3199 Columbia, SC 29201 cc: John Howard, SLO cc: Virgil R. Autry Richaro A. Ratliff Max K. Batavia Barry R. McBee, Chairman (3/1/63)
Milton H. Hamilton, Jr., Commissioner (9/1/65) Texas Natural Resource Conservation Tennessee Department of Environment Commission and Conservation 12100 Park 35 Circle, P.O. Box 13087
- Life and Casualty Tower Austin, TX 78711-3067 l 401 Church Street,21st Floor cc
- John Howard l Nashville, TN 37243-0435 MinerBrooks44%e- Alice Hamilton Rogers l cc: Michael H. Mobley
! Dianne R. Nielson, Executive Director (.4/1/84)
Utah Department of Environmental Quality 168 North 1950 West i
Salt Lake City, UT 84116 cc: William J. Sinclair Bruce Miyahara, Secretary (12/31/66)
Washington Department of Health 1112 SE Quince Street, P.O. Box 47890 Olympia, WA 98504-7890 l cc: Bob Nichols, SLO l John L. Erickson .
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i Meu 4 4 t UNITED STATES g ,g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION o 2 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20066-0001 s...../ May 4, 1998 Aubrey V. Godwin, Director Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency ,
4814 South 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85040 l'
Dear Mr. Godwin:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your !
State's participation in furthering this Federal /Siate cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Govemor of any i State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Arizona entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on May 15,1967.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State sudf participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in l cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). iMPEP employs teams of NRC and i
l Aubrey Godwin Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary empnasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the s'1aring of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in !
implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State l effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related '
burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs ;
that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the nighly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in sto* ort of the program. We enwurage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340. ,
Sincerely,
.J p a an Ext tive Director for Operations
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
" I t WASHINGTON, D.C. 20665-0001 i
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,,,g May 4, 1998 l
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Sandra Nichols. M.D.
! Director Arkansas Department of Health 4815 West Markam Little Rock, AR 72205-3867
Dear Dr. Nichols:
l The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of a:iy State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclea materialin quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Arkansas entered into such an agreement with ihe NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on July 1,1963.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State ;
cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program l further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
l Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a cor'sistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Meerials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
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l Sandra Nichols -2 MAY !4 I Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the ;
assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many -
benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; )
strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and l further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States. -
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focurad on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protect.on of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415 3340.
Sincerely, ,
l
.J n Exe tive Director for Operations cc: David D. Snellings, Director 1 Division of Radiation Control and Emergency Management l l
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_ NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20666-0001 o
b %, May 4, 1998 S. Kimberly Belsh6, Director l State Department of Health Services 714/744 P Street, P.O. Box 942732 Sacramento, CA 94234-7320
Dear Ms. Belsh6:
1 The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement i State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State l programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your I State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
i l The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Govemor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
l Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source l
and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of l California entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on September 1,1962.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement i in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of l new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism l whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through l Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
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MAY - 4 1998 S. Kimberly Belsh6 -2 Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the asassment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's 7 port is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreeme". State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreemerit States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have foct sed on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage cor'tinued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effe:t for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country, if you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely,
.Jo a an Exec ve Director for Operations cc: William J. Keese, Chairman Califomia Energy Commission l Edgar D. Bailey, CHP, Chief Radiologic Health Bureau
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- y *, UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION f WASHINGTON, D.C. 2066dL 0001
% w/ May 4, 1998 Patti Schwayder, Executive Director Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 8100 Lowry Boulevard Denver, CO 80220-6928 Dear Ms. Schwayder The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your !
State's participation in furthering thi.e Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized ander Section 274 of the Atomic :
Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any I State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source !
and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Colerado entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on February 1,1968.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement l in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of !
new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism ,
whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through l Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future, l Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more '
readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
Patti Schwayder -2 MAY - 4 % ,
I Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. Thers have been many i benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; streng" "ning professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, an ExtgJtive Director I forOperations cc: Robert M. Quillin, Director Laboratory and Radiation Services Division
I pt.4 "80 g
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,j UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
- WASHINGTON, D.C. 20566-0001
, , , , , ,o May 4, 1998 James T. Howell, M.D.
Secretary Florida Department of Health 1317 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
Dear Dr. Howell:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contrib'utions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Govemor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regolatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Florida entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on July 1,1964.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program $
improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the deveiopment of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to aseess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in ,
cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC anJ
i n
James T. Howell MAY - 41998' i
Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive !
materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review !
team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There nave been many I benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implement,ation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first !
time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, I
l L. 'J eph allan Ex utive Director for Operations cc: William A. Passetti, Chief Bureau of Radiation Control l
( %
y* UNITED STATES
,j
. g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
'# WASHINGTON, c.C. 20066 4001 o%%,,,,*/ May 4, 1998
\
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Lonice C. Barrett, Commissioner Georgia Department of Natural Resources 205 Butler Street, SE, Suite 1252 Atlanta, GA 30334 Dear Mr. Barrett The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributiens Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Co,imission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Govemor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State. ,
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source )
and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Georgia entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on December 15,1969.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted anci implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In o'rder to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
I I
I Lonice C. Barrett
~4 Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive !
materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the l assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program j implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
l NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in l implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State l effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training l support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs l that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly
! evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC. i 1
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of ,
NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340. l Sincerely, l l
l
. Jo ph a an i Execktive Director for Operations
)
cc: James Setser, Chief Program Coordination Branch Environmental Protection Division Thomas E. Hill, Manager Radioactive Materials Program
\
a us y i UNITED STATES g j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WAbHINGToN, D.C. 20666-0001 o !
% ,..* May 4, 1998 Thomas Ortciger, Director lilinois Department of Nuclear Safety 1035 Outer Park Drive Springfield,IL 62704 q
Dear Mr. Ortciger:
1 The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement !
State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State p 0 grams make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your )
State's participation in furthering this Federai/ State cooperative effort.
1 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic I Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State, l Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materialin quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Illinois entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on June 1,1987.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvemeras. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State 1 representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future. l Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more ,
readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States. I A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated I Matenals Performance Evaluation Program (iMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
i Thomas Ortciger ~4 Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1957 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country, if you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely,
- L.{Jd, seph Callan EWcutive Director for Operations l
1 l
l
1 f no p k UNITED STATES s* j 2
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 2066H001
,,,,, May 4, 1998 Christopher G. Atchison, Director lowa Department of Public Health j
Lucas State Office Building j 321 East 12th Street )
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075 {
l
Dear Mr. Atchison:
l l
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreemants with the Govemor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Iowa entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on January 1,1986.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement l in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of ;
new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism !
whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective i means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
o
' ~
Christopher G. Atchison Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415 3340.
Sincerely, 1
. sep al an Ex utive Director for Operations ec: S. Parveen Baig Utilities Division Iowa Department of Commerce Donald A. Flater, Chief Bureau of Radiological Health
)
h k
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ -s
p54%g g t UNITED STATES j
s* NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20066-0001 f
'% / May 4, 1998 i
Gary Mitchell, Secretary Kansas Department of Health and Environment Landon State Office Building ;
900 SW Jackson Street Topeka. KS 66612-1290
Dear Mr. Mitchell:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly sorne Agreement 4 State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Govemor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State. l Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Kansas entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on January 1,1965.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past l several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working g oups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation arid coordination with the Agreement States. has established the Integrated '
Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
I i'
l Gary Mitchell WAY - 4 N Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the
! assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review
( team's report is made by a Management Review Board compod of NRC rnanagers and an l
Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Boud. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation a IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; l strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly
! evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first
! time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff l
in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these l
initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, M
L. J6se'ph Callan i
E)$utive Director for Operations cc: Vick L. Cooper, Chief Bureau of Air and Radiation <
t g@W0 0 y t UNITED bTATES s*
j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20066-0001
- * * ** ,o May 4, 1998 John Morse, Secretary Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services 275 E. Main Street,4th Floor Frankfort, KY 40621
Dear Mr. Morse:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program rnodifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materialin quantitics not sufficient to form a critical mass. The Commonwealth of Kentucky entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy _ Commission, its predecessor agency) on March 26,1962.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program !
further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early md substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis, in order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
T C
' i John Morse MAY - 41998 l I
Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training j support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country, if you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely,
., o p Callan Ext ive Director for Operations cc: John A. Volpe, Ph.D., Manager Radiation Health and Toxic Agents Branch
r ,
1 1
a cto y t UNITED STATES s* j 2
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20066 4001
\...../
i May 4, 1998 1
J. Dale Givens, Secretary Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 82231 Baton Rouge, LA 70884-2231
Dear Mr. Givens:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulat y authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulator, authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Louisiana entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on May 1,1967.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materiais Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
T' J. Dale Givens JAAY - 4 N Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive l
materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the (
assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review '
team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship j among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in j Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs ]
that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely,
. Jv ph allan Exec ive Director for Operations cc: William H. Spell, Administrator j Radiation Protection Division l l
l 1
J I
p te uou p 4 UNITED OTATES g ,j#
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20066-0001
/ May 4, 1998 Kevin W. Concannon, Commissioner Maine Department of Human Services 11 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 l
Dear Mr. Concannor';
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NAC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Maine entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on April 1,1992.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now .
cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive invcivement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participaticn in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement 5 tate views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and hn resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program I performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
1
/
MAY - 41998 )
Kevin W. Concannon 1 l
Ag'rNiflSiIft State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive !
materitiilicensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the )
asse d'nt and place primary emphasis on performance. The final de*4rmination of the review team sport is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many ]
i benefits" realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include I i
thet]$$g of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengtb9ning professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and furtfief9lhphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program 3 implemented by NRC and the Agreement States. )
~
NRC beleves these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implemI' nting their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State "e#detileness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related 213urderfin some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship siiidng RC and the Agreement States.' Additionally, these changes have resulted in A,greem)ent State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financ suppor(and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that cah be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly
'iidd}snJat the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We rec'6gnize the efforts of all Agreement States and Individual Agreement State program staff
~ in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiativ'es toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in
, the corhmercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of i NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340. l I
Sincerely, ;
. Jc p al an Exe( ive Director for Operations cc: W. Clough Toppan, P.E., Director Division of Health Engineering Jay Hyland, Acting Manager Radiation Control Program
i
\
pKrog
- p- k UNITED STATES l'
l g ,jt NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 2066H001 l
\*****/ May 4, 1998 l
l Jane T. Nishida, Secretary Maryland Department of the Environment
- 2500 Broening Highway l
Baltimore, MD 21224
Dear Ms. Nishida:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your i
State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any i State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
l Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materialin quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of l Maryland entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on January 1 1971.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past l several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federa!/ State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now l cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program
, improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement l in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of l new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism j whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through
- Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there ere six such l NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into l
regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and i
l
\
l Jane T. Nishida Agieement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's rewrt is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff padicipation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program
. implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agrtament State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 A!! Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country, if you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, epn6anan Exe tive Director for Operations cc: Merrylin Zaw-Mon, Director Air and Radiation Management Administration Roland G. Fletcher, Manager Radiological Health Program
\
wo uq y i UNITED STATES I < o NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION If WASHINGTON, D.C. 20665-0001
% # May 4, 1998 Howard Koh, Commissioner Massachusetts Department of Public Health 250 Washington Street Boston, MA 02108-4619
Dear Mr. Koh:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under th!s agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on March 21,1997.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate mere fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated '
Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and l
l l
6 i
Howard Koh MAY - 41998 Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques;
. strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, L.Jc;sfph Canan~
Executive Director for Operations cc: A. David Rodham, Assistant Secretary Executive Office of Public Safety Robert M. Hallisey, Director Radiation Control Program
I 1
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/ 2 8 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION l i If WASHINGTON, D.C. 2066H001 j
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i 1
i Ed Thompson, M.D.
l State Health Officer Mississippi Department of Health l 2423 N. State Street, P.O. Box 1700 l Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Dear Dr. Thompson:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement {
State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your 1
, State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort. 1 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Govemor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source l and special nuclear materialin quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Mississippi entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on July 1,1962.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State l cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and j safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program l
further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a l result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement l in the development of new regulations affecting protection o' public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism l whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through i Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis, in order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
m
~
i Ed Thompson Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include
, the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques;
! strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related l burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship l among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in l Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training l support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs tilat can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff l in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, an l E>edutive Director for Operations cc: Robert W. Goff, Director Division of Radiological Health i
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t NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20065 0001
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4 May 4, 1998 Deb Thomas, Policy Secretary Nebraska Health & Human Services System 301 Centennial Mall South !
P.O. Box 95026 Lincoln, NE 68509 l
Dear Ms. Thomas:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreerr.ont State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is authorized under Section 274 cf the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Nebraska enterud into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on October 1,1966.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State prograrn further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
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T i
Deb Thomas N~
l Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive '
materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State l
effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related '
burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was hsid by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, L. J ph a an Exe ive Director for Operations cc: David P. Schor, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P.
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Program Gina Dunning, Director Regulatica and Licensure
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g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION o '* WASHINGTON, D.C. 20665-0001 o
- g May 4, 1990 Charlotte Crawford, Director Nevada Department of Human Resources 505 East King Street, Room 600 Carson City, NV 89710
Dear Ms. Crawford:
The purpose cithis letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreemant State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NR)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter "o agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regu atory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Nevada entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on July 1,1972.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of !
new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future. ;
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective !
means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into l regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more i readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
i A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in i cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated l
Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and J
M AY ~ 4 1998 Charlotte Crawford 1 Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive i materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techr.iques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implementec' by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training ;
support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs l that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340. i Sincerely, 9ep allan Ex Jtive Director for Operations cc: Robert R. Loux, Executive Director Agency for Nuclear Projects Stanley R. Marshall, Supervisor Radiological Health Section c
a uc p \ UNITED STATES g ,j
's NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 g
k ***** ,o May 4, 1998 Terry L. Morton, Commissioner New Hampshire Department of Health
& Human Services 6 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03301
Dear Mr. Morton:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Govemor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materialin quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of New Hampshire entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on May 16,1966.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in
, cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
I .,
I* Terry L. MM)n MAY - 41998 l
Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an l Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include j
the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship l among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly l evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first l time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
! We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program sta*f in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
l Sincerely, L.J s an Ex c e Director for Operations cc: Woodbury P. Fogg, P.E., Director 7
Office of Emergency Management i
Diane E.Tefft, Administrator Radiological Heahh Bureau
p pMG 4b 4 UNITED STATES j; j )R t
j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g .
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 4 001 sv/
%,.. May 4, 1998 Mark E. Weidler, Secretary New Mexico Department of Environment 1190 St. Francis Drive, P.O. Box 26110 Santa Fe, NM 87502
Dear Mr. Weidler:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (A.EA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Govemor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of New Mexico entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on May 1,1974.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State coopration in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has establichad the Integrated f Materials Perfccmance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and l
i
. l
.)
Mark E. Weidler
~4 Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the' assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of thf review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States. '
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely,
.Jo a an Exe ive Director for Operations cc: Benito Garcia, Chief Bureau of Hazardous and Radioactive Materials l
l l
l l
l
r* @ th p 4 UNITED STATES
/ g ,j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20665-0001
- ,o May 4, 1998 1
John P. Cahill, Commissioner l New York State Department of i l Environmental Conservation l l 50 Wolf Road i l Albany, NY 12233 )
l
Dear Mr. Cahill:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement l State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State '
programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic
, Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any i
State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source l and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of New York entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on October 15,1962.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement Gtates now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreernent State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective rneans to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
j A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program l performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
l}
John P. Cahill -2 MAY - 419W Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the-3 assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include I the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and l further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexib!!ity in l implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State l effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related i burden in some program areas and.have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs
/
that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in j the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish !
i to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, i 4 LJos p a ad j Exel ive Director I for Operations cc: F. William Valentino, President New York State Energy Research and Development AutherXy Paul J. Merges, Ph.D., CNef ;
! Bureau of Pesticides and Radiation I
I 4
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- WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001
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- May 4, 1998 Barbara A. DeBuono, M.D., M.P.H.
Commissioner New York State Health Department Mayor Erastus Coming Il Tower Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12237-0001
Dear Dr. DeBuono:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (k A), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of New York entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on October 15,1962.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Feoeral and State cooperation in the administration cf regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and :esearch uses of ::ertain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were mudo as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC end Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new polic.ies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participatian on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formration of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effect've means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program j performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, thc NRC, in ,
1 cooperation and coordination viith the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Pregram (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams oiNRC and
i i
I
't Barbara A. DeBuono MAY - 41998 I
Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Boa:d composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaisen to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreenjent State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; I strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and i further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program j implemented by NRC and the Agreement States, j NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement Statet .ocreased flexibility in
- implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State l effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related l burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country, if you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, 1
l 2 L. Joseph Callan Exec #ive Director for Operations cc: F. William Valentino, President New York State Energy Research and Development Authority l Karim Rimawi, Ph.D., Director i Bureau of Environmental Radiation I
Protection f
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j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 30666 4001 l
..... May 4, 1998 James T. Dillon, Acting Commissioner New York State Department of Labor State Office Building #12 l W.A. Harriman Campus Albany, NY 12240
Dear Mr. Dillon:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement l State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State. I Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materialin quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass, The State of New York entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on October 15,1962. '
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health .and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past i several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a ;
result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now '
cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Matenals Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
- ~ _
1 1
3 James T. Dillon N~4 Agreement State staff to assess both Agrooment State and NRC Regiona' Office radoactive materials licensing and inspection progs ams. All reviews use common enteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreernant State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been rrany benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and prograrn implementation techniques, strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide reguletory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory progrc.m performance. These changes hava reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State prograrns that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, L. #Jone>h Callan ExecdWe Director for Operations cc: F. William Valentino, President New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Rita Aldrich, Principal Radiophysicist Radiological Health Unit l
I yp% ntrj S k UNITED STATES j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION i
g F 4 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 4 001
%, . .*'" [ May 4, 1998 Neal L Cohen, M.D. I Commissioner of Health l New York City Department of Health l 125 Worth Street, Room 331, Box 28 l New York City, NY 10013 l
Dear Dr. Cohen:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooporative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1964 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authon!y of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for he use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materialin quantities not sufficient to form a criteal mass. The State of New York entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Ator.iic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on October 15,1962. New York City has ar' implementation role.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC ar,d
J la I i 1
Neal l. Cohen #AY - 4 in l I
Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive ,
I materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include
)
1 the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
1 NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in !
implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State i effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related f burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship l
among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in i Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training l support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs j that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC, We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff l in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these j initiatives toward a cohorent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in i the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish j to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of ]
NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, I l
.J i allan e Director I Exe for Operations !
cc: F. William Valentino, President l New York State Enerry Research l and Development Authority l i
l l Kenneth R. Daniel, Deputy Director
! Bureau of Radiological Health 1
l I
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20066-0001
%..... May 4, 1998 Murray G. Sagsveen, State Health Officer North Dakota Department of Health State Capitol-Judicial Wing 600 E. Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505-0200
Dear Mr. Sagsveen:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe brief!y some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State i programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materialin quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of North Dakota entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on September 1,1969.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement Statas now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
Murray G. Sagsveen -2 MAY - 4 N Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, L.J s a an Exe ive Director for Operations cc: Dana K. Mount, Director Division of Environmental Engineering
f M%q
[ k UNITED STATES
, j j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 4001
- ,o May 4, 1998 Wayne McDevitt, Secretary l North Carolina Department of Environment, and Natural Resources P.O. Box 27687 Raleigh, NC 27611-7687
Dear Mr. McDevitt:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nucbar Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materialin quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of North Carolina entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on August 1,1964.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fuly . the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affect;ng protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performanco en a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
\
Wayne McDevitt N~
Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review l team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many l l benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; i strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997.All Agreement States meeting which, for the first l time, was held by the Organization of Agreemert States, instead of NRC.
l We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual. Agreement State program staff
! in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, 1
L.Jo e h a an Exec ive Director i for Operations cc: Billy Cameron, Director Division of Emergency Management l
i Richard M. Fry, Director Division of Radiation Protection I
l l
i i
i pwa p $4 UNITED STATES l
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20565 0001 l
%*****) May 4, 1998 l
l Gary Weeks, Director l Oregon Department of Human Resources l Human Resources Building l . 500 Summer Street, NE Salem, OR 97310
Dear Mr. Weeks:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materialin quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Oregon entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on July 1,1965.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more l readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
l A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program l performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in I cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated l Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and l l
s
- MAY - 41998'
~ Gary Weeks -2 Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program l implemented by NRC and the Agreement States. l i
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in I implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related l burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs i that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly I evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States,instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country, if you have any questions or wish !
to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340. l Sincerely,
. Jc dep a Exequtive Director for Operations cc: David Stewart-Smith, Administrator Energy Resources Division Oregon Office of Energy 4 Ray D. Paris, Manager Radiation Protection Services
\
p Reto t UNITED STATES s*
2 j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 2006H001
%*****/ May 4, 1998 l
l Patricia A. Nolan, M.P.H.
Director Rhode Island Department of Health Cannon Building Three Capitol Hill Providence, RI 02908-5097 Dear Ms. Nolam The purpose of this letter a to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Govemor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear thaterial in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Rhode Island entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on January 1,1980. q Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate mora fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such '
NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPCP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
s..
i Patricia A. Nolan, M.P.H. E-4N Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive l materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary em: =- T on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Manag. .t Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manage .,rving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques;
- strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreemeat State
- effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship 1 among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in l Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs )
that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish !
to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, L. Jc sp a an l Executive Director for Operations cc: Peter Todd, Radiological Technician Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency Marie Stoeckel, Chief Division of Occupational and Radiological Health
g5 Mo o 0 4 UN!TED STATES l j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHlNGTON, D.C. 20666-0001 g ,, May 4, 1998 Douglas E. Bryant, M.P.H.
Commissioner South Carolina Department of Health
& Environmental Control 2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201
Dear Mr. Bryant:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materialin quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of South Carolina entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on September 15,1969.
/ Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State
} cooperation in the admir,istration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in thu industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of r.ew regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement Stata Working Groups, each with or'e or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory proowts that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement Statas.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program i3 the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperait n and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
o e
Douglas E. Bryant, M.P.H. -2 MAY. - 41996 Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on pralormance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreemer.t State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions er wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3540.
1 Sincerely, L7J p a an l Ex ive Director for perations cc- Virgil R. Autry, Director Division of Radioactive Waste Management Max K. Batavia, P.E., Chief Bureau of Radiological Health
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p Qeog\ UNITED STATES
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j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION o WASHINGTON, D.C. 2006H001
- May 4, 1998 Milton H. Hamilton, Jr.
Commissioner Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Life and Casualty Tower 401 Church Street,21st Floor Nashville, TN 37243-0435 4 Dear Mr. Hamilton The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the dir. continuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Tennessee entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on September 1,1965.
1 Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State '
cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administrat!on of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Prograrn (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and i
'i Milton H. Hamilton, Jr. ~4 Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes lieve afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in
- Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive materialin this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, L. Jc s(pTCallan Exewtive Director for Operations cc: Michael H. Mobley, Director Division of Radiological Health I
i l
l l
t p UNITED STATES
. g j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g 4' WASHINGTON, D.C. 20666-0001
- May 4, 1998 g
l William R. Archer, Commissioner Texas Department of Health 1100 W. 49th Street Austin,TX 78756 l .
l
Dear Mr. Archer:
l The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement
, State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State .
programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your l State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
l The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Texas entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on March 1,1963.
l Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to estabiish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past l several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program l further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a I
result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now l cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program l improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement l in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of l' new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism l whereby Agreement States are provided early r.nd substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such l NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State i representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
-1 l
William R. Archer 4 Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staC participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agrooment State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have _further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity fcr strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC. ,
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff ,
in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these l initiatives toward a cohersnt nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
1 Sincerely, i
L. J eph Ca lan Exe utive Director for Operations cc: John Howard, Director Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Office of the Govemor Richard A. Ratliff, P.E., L.M.P., Chief Bureau of Radiation Control
- strog g k UNITED STATES l g j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20056 0001
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,, l& May 4, 1998 Barry R. McBee, Chairman Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission 12100 Park 35 Circle P.O. Box 13067 Austin, TX 78711-3087
Dear Mr. McBee:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. The State of Texas entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on March 1,1963.
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State
=
cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be raore readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated
, Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
V EdN Barry R. McBee Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office rad loactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final oetermination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC ad Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related l burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. _ We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protet on of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country, if you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely,
. ph Calfan Ex tive Director fo Operations cc: John Howard, Director Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Office of the Govemor i
Alice H. Rogers, P.E., Section Manager l Radioactive Waste Section
' l
$ puta p k S UNITED STATES '
- r NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION I WASHINGTON, D.C. 2006f 4001
% # May 4, 1998 Dianne R. Nielson, Executive Director Utah Department of Environmental Quality l 168 North 1950 West !
Salt Lake City, UT 84116 I
Dear Ms. Nielson:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention and to describe briefly some Agreement )
State program modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to prctect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your i State's participation in furthering this Federal / State cooperative effort.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is authorized under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any l State providLig for the discontinuance of the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State. l Under this agreement, the State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear material in quantities not sufficient to fcrm a critical mass. The State of Utah entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the Atomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on April 1,1984. ,
Section 274 of the AEA provides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear materials. Over the past i several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program l further enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive involvement in the development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and safety and of new policies affecting administration of the Agreement State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working groups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff participation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge ina regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implemented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and
I Dianne R. Nielson E 4U Agreement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include the sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance. These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additionally, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financial, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State prograrns that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first !
time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC. +
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement State program staff in support of the program. We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Beogart, Director of NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, L. J s ph Callan '
Exe ive Director for Operations cc: William J. Sinclair, Director g Division of Radiation Control 1
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urag y?. k.j uni RED !.i?M ES h NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
, o, T WASHINGTOW D.C. 20S554001
%, + . . o May 4, 1998 4
L Bruce Miyahara, Secretary Washington Department of Health 1112 SE Quince Street 3 P.O. Box 47890 l Olympia, WA 98504-7800
Dear Mr. Miyahara:
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your ettention ard to describe briefly some Agreement State progrmo modifications, to emphasize the important contributions Agreement State programs make to protect public health and safety, and to express our appreciation for your State's participation in furthering this Federa!/ State cooperative effort.
h The U.S. N> clear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is authoriz.ed under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA), as amended, to enter into agreements with the Governor of any State providing for the dit. continuance cf the regulatory authority of the NRC within that State.
L'nder this agreement, toe State assumes regulatory authority for the use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materie'in quantities not sufficient tn form a critical mass. The State of Washington entered into such an agreement with the NRC (or the /stomic Energy Commission, its predecessor agency) on December 31,196S.
Section 274 of the AEA prnvides broad authority for the NRC to establish Federal and State cooperation in the administration of regulatory programs for the protection of public health and safety in the industrial, medical and research uses of certain nuclear material:s. Over the past several years, a number of modifications have been made to the Agreement State program fur;her enhancing this Federal / State cooperation. Many of these changes were made as a result of comments expressed by the Agreement States. NRC and Agreement States now cooperate more fully in the development of new regulations, policy and regulatory program improvements. This cooperation includes Agreement State early and substantive ir volvement in me development of new regulations affecting protection of public health and sciety and of L new pclicies affecting adminis'tration of the Agreemont State program. One mechanism whereby Agreement States are provided early and substantive involvement is through Agreement State staff participation on joint working grcups. Currently, there are six such NRC/ Agreement State Working Groups, each with one or more Agreement State representatives. Formation of additional working groups can be expected in the future.
Agreement State staff carticipation in these working groups has proven to be an effective means to incorporate Agreement State views, perspectives, and technical knowledge into regulatory program efforts and has resulted in improved regulatory products that can be more readily accepted and implernented by both NRC and Agreement States.
A basic element of a coherent nationwide regulatory program is the ability to assess program performance on a consistent and systematic basis. In order to achieve this, the NRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Agreement States, has established the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). IMPEP employs teams of NRC and I
t
(
~'
Bruce Miyahara -2'-
. Agisement State staff to assess both Agreement State and NRC Regional Office radioactive materials licensing and inspection programs. All reviews use common criteria in the assessment and place primary emphasis on performance. The final determination of the review team's report is made by a Management Review Board composed of NRC managers and an Agreement State program manager serving as a liaison to the Board. There have been many benefits realized from NRC and Agreement State staff participation in IMPEP. These include -
tha sharing of good practices, information and program implementation techniques; strengthening professional peer relationships among the NRC and Agreement State staffs; and further emphasizing the importance of a collective, coherent, nationwide regulatory program -
implemented by NRC and the Agreement States.
, NRC believes these changes have afforded Agreement States increased flexibility in implementing their regulatory programs and have focused on NRC and Agreement State effectiveness of regulatory program performance These changes have reduced NRC-related burden in some program areas and have further established the professional peer relationship among NRC and the Agreement States. Additiona3y, these changes have resulted in Agreement State programs that are less dependent on NRC for financ!al, technical and training support and, thus, have provided an opportunity for strengthened Agreement State programs 3 that can be even more responsive to individual State needs. This strengthening was clearly evident at the highly effective October 1997 All Agreement States meeting which, for the first time, was held by the Organization of Agreement States, instead of NRC.
We recognize the efforts of all Agreement States and individual Agreement St6te prograrn staff in support of the program We encourage continued Agreement State support of these initiatives toward a coherent nationwide effort for the protection of public health and safety in the commercial uses of radioactive material in this country. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Agreement State Program further, please contact Richard L. Bangart, Director of ~
NRC's Office of State Programs at (301) 415-3340.
Sincerely, LI J 'h' Callan I I
Exe ive Director -
for Operations
)
cc: Bob Nichols, Executive Policy Assistant Office of the Governor John L Erickson, Director ;
Division of Radiation Protection l
1