ML20217G880
| ML20217G880 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/30/1997 |
| From: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Gingrich N, Gore A HOUSE OF REP., SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, SENATE |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9708080096 | |
| Download: ML20217G880 (5) | |
Text
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CHARMAN The Honorable Newt Gingrich Speaker of the United States House of Represent.tives Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Mr. Speaker:
I am submitting the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC's) report on the nondisclosure of Safeguards Informatiois for the calendar year quarter beginning April 1 and extending through June 30,1997, as required by Section 147 of the Atomic Erergy Act of 1954, as amended. The report describes one occasion during this period when the NRC withheld from public disclosure Safeguards Information concerning security at a nuclear facility.-
Sincerely, N 1 Shirley Ann Jackson
Enclosure:
As stated
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%, . . . . . p# July 30, 1997 CHAMMAN The Honorable Albert Gore P osident of the United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Mr. President:
I am submitting the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC's) report on the nondisclosure of Safeguards Information for the calendar year quarter beginning April 1 and extending through June 30,1997, as required by Section 147 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, The report describes one occasion during this period when the NP.C
- withheld from public disclosure Safeguards Information conceming security at a nuclear facility, Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson
Enclosure:
As stated
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION QUARTERLY REPORT ON NONDISCLOSURE OF SAFEGUARDS INFORMATION Section 147 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of specific types of Safeguards Information. This section also directs the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to prescribe such regulations as are necessary to prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of Safeguards Infonnation. NRC's regulations implementing Section 147 were published in the Federal Reoister on October 22,1981 (46 FR 51718).
Section 147 also requires that the NRC report each quarter of the calendar year any Ccmmission application, during that period, of every regulation or order prescribed or issued under this section.
To comply with this requirement of Section 147, the NRC reports that the following Safeguards Information was withheld from disclosure under the Freedom of information Act during the second calendar year quarter, April 1 through June 30,1997.
Type of Information Withheld On one occasion, the NRC withheld from public disclosure portions of Safeguards inspection reports that disclosed the size, armament, and disposition of on-site reserve forces; details of the on-site and off sitr, communications systems used for security purposes; the identity of off-site forces committed to respond to Safeguards emergencies; and defects, weaknesses or vulnerabilities in the system at a nuclear power plant.
Unauthorized Disclosure Could Have Adverse Impac_1 The public disclosure of this type of information could significantly increase the probability of unauthorized entry into the plant, and the information could be of considerable value to a potential saboteur in considering or planning sabotage.
Assurance That Only the Minimum Amount of Information Was Withheld The withholding of this type of Safeguards Information does not deny the public basic information conceming the level of protection afforded at a nuclear facility. A line-by-line review of the documents was conducted to ensure that only the minimum amount of ir'ormation was withheld.
Attachment:
Specific Types of Information Protected From Unauthorized Disclosure
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Enclosure
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SPECIFIC TYPES OF INFORMATION PROTECTED FROM UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE
- 1. Physical Protection at Fixed Sites Information not otherwise classificd as Restricted Data or National Security Information relating to the protection of facilities that process formula quantities of strategic special nuclear material at power reactors.
Speci'ically:
(i) %e composite physical security plan for the nuclear facility or site.
(ii) Site specific drawings, diagrams, sketches, or maps that substantially represent the final design features of the physical protection system.
(iii) Details of alarm system layouts showing location of intrusion-detection devices, ,
alarm assessment equipment, alarm system wiring, emergency power sources, and duress alarms.
(iv) Written physical security orders and procedures for members of the security organization, duress codes, and patrol schedules.
(v) Details of the on-site and off-site communications systems that are used for ,
security purposes.
(vi) Lock combinations and mechanical key design.
(vii) Documents and other matter that contain lists or locations of certain safety-related equipment explicitly identified in the documents as vital for purposes of physical protection, as contained in physical security plans, safeguards contingency plans, or plant-specific safeguards analyses for production or utilization facilities.
(viii) The composite safeguards contingency pla 1 for the facility or site.
(ix) Those portions of the facility guard qualification and training plan which disclose features of the physical security system or response procedures.
(x) Response plans to specific threats detailing size, disposition, response time, and amiament of responding forces.
(xi) Size, armament, and disposition of on-site reserve forces.
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(xli) Size, identity, armament, and arrival times of off-site forces committed to respond to safeguards emergencies.
[_ (xiii) _I nformation required by the Commission pursuant to 10 CFR 73.55 (c) (8) and (9).
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- 2. Physical Protection in Transit i
Information not otherwise classified as Restricted Data or National Security Information relative to the protection of shipments of formula quantities of strategic special nuclear
. material and spent fuel.
Specifically: ,
(i) The composite transportation physical security plan.
(ii) Schedules and itineraries for specific shipments. (Routes and quantities for shipments of spent fuel are not withheld from public disclosure. Schedules for spent fuel shipments may be released 10 days after the last shipment of a current series.)
- (iii) Details of vehicle immobilization features, intrusion alarm devices, and communication systems.
(iv) Arrangements with and capabilities of local police response forces, and locations of safe havens, (v) Details regarding limitations of radio-telephone communications. '
(vi) Procedures for respons'.s to safeguards emergencies.
- 3. Inspections. Audits. and EJaluations Information not otherwise classified as Restricted Data or National Security Information relating to safeguards inspection and reports.
Specifically:
Portions of safeguards inspection reports, evaluations, audits, or investigations !
that contain details of a licensee's or applicant's physical security system or that disclose uncorrected defects, weaknesses, or vulnerabilities in the system.
Information regarding deft::ts, weaknesses, or vulnerabilities may be released after corrections have been made. Reports of investigations may be released after the investigation has been completed, unless withheld pursuant to other authorities; for example, the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).