ML20217Q623
| ML20217Q623 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/05/1998 |
| From: | Callan L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Diaz N, Dicus G, Shirley Ann Jackson, Mcgaffigan E, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20217Q571 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-WM-5 SECY-97-110-C, NUDOCS 9804130051 | |
| Download: ML20217Q623 (3) | |
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UNITED STATES i
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION f
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 o
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February 5,1998 MEMORANDUM TO:
Chairman Jackson Commissioner Dicus Commissioner Diaz Commissioner McGaffi an FROM:
L. Joseph Callan
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h Executive Director 'or D erations
SUBJECT:
STAFF REQUIREMENTS - DAM SAFETY PROGRAM INTRODUCTION:
In SECY-97-110, " Status Report on Implementation of Dam Safety Program," the staff provided the Commission with an update of activities being undertaken in the dam safety program (DSP).
In response to SECY-97-110, the Commission issued a Staff Requirements Memorandum (SRM) dated July 11,1997, approving the staffs plans to continue implementation of the current DSP, but also directing the staff to identify ways to minimize resources budgeted for the DSP. Subsequently, in a memorandum dated August 6,1997, the staf' provided the Commission with its analysis of ways to reduce the amount of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff devoted to the DSP. Also in that memorandum, the staff committed to conduct further analysis to see if any additional resource savings could be gained, and to report back to the Commission by January 1998 on the results of that analysis. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the results of the additional analysis conducte, ' by the staff.
In its memorandum dated August 6,1997, the staff believed that the use of alternative approaches for accomplishing the goals and objectives of the program could result in a reduction of 0.5 FTE in the DSP. The alternative approach that would be used would be to reduce the number of inspections that were conducted under the DSP. Instead of conducting inspections, the staff, using contractor support, would review the reports from licensees documenting the licensee annual reviews of dams. As necessary, the staff would conduct no more than two inspections a year to confirm the ac uracy of the information provided in the licensee annual reports, or to focus on dams where issues had arisen in the past that warranted on-site inspection. The staff believed that it could use the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to conduct the necessary reviews, and to continue to conduct any inspecMons.
CONTACT: Daniel S. Rom, NMSS/DWM (301) 415-6704 9804130051 980402 PDR WASTE WM-5 PDR
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However, the staff also intended to meet with representatives of FERC along with I
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representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Corps of Engineers (COE) to see if any other means could be identified to provide additional resource savings. In addition to meeting with these other Federal agencies, the staff also explored the potential to optimize resource utilization by: 1) relying on FERC to perform certain functions now being performed by the staff; 2) increasing the use of State inspections; and 3) reducing staff participation in interagency dam safety activities. This memorandum discusses the results of the staff meetings with the other Federal agencies and the results of the staff's additional analyses.
On September 23,1997, staff met with FEMA in Washington, DC, to discuss the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's proposed input to the Biennial Report, and to discuss altemative approaches in dealing with dam safety responsibilities. Staff discussed the various ways that FEMA's prior concems about NRC's DSP had been addressed, and FEMA indicated that it believed the staff had acceptably addressed FEMA's concems. In additior, FEMA was briefed 3
j on the staff's approach to conducting the NRC DSP using the altemative discussed above.
FEMA did mt have any concern with the approach, and could not identify any other actions that could allow for resource savings by NRC.
On August 21,1997, the NRC Dam Safety Officer and staff met with FERC to: 1) continue discussions on the attemative approaches to maintain an effective DSP with limited FTE available, and 2) discuss administrative changes to enhance the efficiency of our interagency agreement. FERC agreed that reviewing the results of annuallicensee inspections could be used to replace or augment FERC/ staff, which will be done in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding. This would allow the staff to meet the goal of a three-year cycle on inspections for low-hazard dams and achieve a reduction of staff site visits, such that the number of inspections could be reduced to two, as discussed in the August 6,1997, SRM response, if additional dam safety tasks could be required in the future, such as the review of licensee-identified issues, FERC could perform the necessary reviews under the guidelines of the existing Memorandum of Understanding.
With respect to the efficiency of handling contractual matters, FERC indicated that some changes should be made to streamline the process. Based on the meeting with FERC, it was found that the FTE savings identified in the August 6,1997, memorandum on dam safety could be made; however, no additional savings could be identified, in addition, staff explored methods to simplify procedures covering the management and administration of the FERC interagency agreement. Based on the discussions with NRC and FERC contract specialists, it was found that various administrative actions couli be simplified, and that a reduchon in overall expendit are of time dealing with contractual matte a could be achieved.
On October 7,1997, staff met with COE representahvss to discuss attemative approaches.
Although not in a posibon to directly assist NRC, the COE advised NRC that relevant documents to assist in determining altemative approaches were available. After discussing the available documents with COE, staff determined that the material would be of relatively little ~
benefit in achieving a reduction in FTE commitment to the program.
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WRh respect to the staff's participation in the interagency dam safety activities, the staff believes that such participation should continue. Overall, the resource savings from eliminating these activities would not be great, and the information and contacts made during these activitier enhance the staff's knowledge of dam safety issues. Plus, these interactions allow for some increases in efficiency through providing a mechanism for staff to engage in discussions and to provide guidance to FERC and FEMA on NRC dam safety issues. Based on this, the staff would not recommend a reduction in its participation in these activities.
l CONCLUSIONS-Based on the information gathered in meeting with representatives of FEMA, FERC, and COE, the staff concludes that no further reduction beyond the 0.5 FTE identified in the Ayust 6, 1997, memorandum can be achieved. The staff will continue to use FERC as its contractor, since that agency is in a position to assist NRC e:onomically. The potential for additional savings through FEMA and COE is considered unlikely; however, continued dialogue with these and other agencies will be maintained through NRC's participation in interagency activities on dam safety. The Office of the Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this paper for resource implications and has no objections, cc: SECY OGC OCA OPA CFO ClO DOCUMENT NAME: S:\\DWM\\ URB \\DSR\\ RESPOND 2.109
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