ML20217R298
| ML20217R298 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07001113 |
| Issue date: | 08/25/1997 |
| From: | Reda R GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. |
| To: | Weber M NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| AL-96-05, AL-96-5, NUDOCS 9709050015 | |
| Download: ML20217R298 (2) | |
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GE Nuclezr Energy n
Nudw fue! & Components A%!<rcturing llb General (Wctm Compwy (VW\\
t PD &a 180 W:Imington, NC 28402 919 6?S 5000 August 25,1997 Mr. M. F. Weber, Licensing Branch, NMSS U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop T 8-D-14 Washington, DC 20555-0001
Dear Mr. Weber:
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Reference:
(1) License SNM-1097, Docket 70-1113 (2) Open Meeting, Two White Flint,2/1/95 (3) Letter, KK McDaniel to R Reda,4/16/96 (4) Letter, RJ Reda to RC Pierson,9/13/96 -
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(5) Letter, RJ Reda to RC Pierson,10/24/96 (6) Letter, RJ Reda to MF Weber,3/24/97 (7) Open Meeting, Two White Flint,8/20/97
Subject:
Calcium Fluoride - Withdrawal ofInactive Status Notification GE Nuclear Energy Production (GE-NEP) facility in Wilmington,N.C. is withdrawing our notification letter of September 13,1996, regarding the inactive status of the central calcium fluoride storage basins, made pursuant to 10CFR70.38.
Or September 13,1996, pursuant to 10CFR70.38, GE-NEP notified the NRC that the ceraal calcium fluoride storage area had been inactive for greater than 24 months. This notification was issued based on an extremely conservative interpretation of the requirements contained in 10CFR70.38 and the severe penalties associated with failure to provide timely notification. Subsequent to the notification, NRC guidance (NRC Administrative Letter 96-05: Compliance with the Rule " Timeliness in
~ Decommissioning of Material Facilities",11/5/96) was issued providing additional
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information related to the implementation of the requirements of 10CFR70.38.
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Since that time, GE has reviewed the guidance and participated in several discussions with the NRC, the most recent occurring August 20,1997. As a result of these reviews, GE-NEP has concluded that we improperly designated the central basin as inactive and therefore, reporting was not required under 10CFR70.38. The basis for this conclusion is the following:
9709050015 970825 C
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Mr. M. F. Webe August 25,1997 Page 2 of 2 The Central Basin storage location has been a part of the contiguous final process
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lagoon and waste treatment area as identified in License SNM-1097.
The final waste treatment area is bounded by a fence, has restricted access and is controlled operationally as a single entity, it also is identified as a discrete area within the plant's operating procedures.
The final waste treatment area currently continues in use, and it is monitored as a part of the environmental protection plan Calcium Fluoride (CaF:) is a byproduct of our fuel production activities. CaF produced 2
in the early phases of production was placed in temporary on and below grade storage in i
anticipation of the development of a cost effective recovery process for low levels of I
uranium contained in the byproduct material. The material was stored at two locations, the Northwest Area and the Central Basins.
GE-NEP prepared, received approval for and is executing a remediation and I
decommissioning plan for the Northwest Area (Reference [3]). These activities are proceeding on plan and preliminary surveys in support of final decommissioning are in progress.
GE-NEP has initiated remedial operations to remove CaF from on grade storage at the 2
Central Basins and relocate the material to covered storage. Current estimates indicate this will be complete by early 1998. This removal effort serves to eliminate a potential source term and to render the space available for further waste treatment related activities.
In accord with the discussions held at the public meeting at White Flint, August 20,1997, GE-NEP is withdrawing the notification letter of September 13,1996.
Please contact me on (910) 675 5889 or Charlie Vaughan on (910) 675-5656 if you require additional information or would like to discuss this matter further.
Sincerely, GE Nuclear Energy s
Ralph Re, ianager Fuels and Facilities Licensing cc:
RJR-97-101 CA Hrabal l
EJ McAlpine
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