ML20235S714

Final Response to Appeal Re Denial of FOIA Request for Documents.Portion of Document K5 Encl.Reaffirms Withholding of Documents J1,J2,K3 & K4 in Entirety & Portion of Document K5 (Ref FOIA Exemptions 5,6 & 7)

ML20235S714
Person / Time
Issue date:	10/05/1987
From:	Chilk S NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY)
To:	Bauman L GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT
References
FOIA-87-228, FOIA-87-A-58 NUDOCS 8710090108
Download: ML20235S714 (3)

Text

,

[ h UNITED STATES y

j .4 '- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION W ASHINGTON. D.C. 20555 Q&

%.....)R October 5, 1987 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY I

i Ms. Linda Bauman l F0IA Coordinator Government Accountability Project Midwest Office 104 East Wisconsin Avenue Appleton, Wisconsin 54911 '

l l Re: Appeal of F0IA 87-228 (87-A-58C) 1

Dear Ms. Bauman:

This letter responds to your August 2,1987 appeal of the agency's July 15, 1987 denial of Commission-level documents (J1, J2, and K3-K5) related to the ,

alleged dismissal of a health physicist for "whistleblowing" at the Peach  !

Bottom nuclear plant.

The agency again reviewed the withheld documents. Based on that review, I  ;

affirm in part and reverse in part the initial agency decision. I affirm the '

withholding of documents J1, J2, K3, and K4 in their entirety and document K5 'i in part.

The agency withheld portions of document J1 under F0IA exemptions 6, 7(C), and 7(D). See 5 U.S.C. 9 552(b)(6), (7)(C), and (7)(D). The withheld portions consistTf personal privacy information including names and addresses of confidential sources and other information which could reasonably be expected of a confidential source. See Shaw v. FBI, 749 F.2d to disclose 58, the identity (Availability of exemption 7 TDT depends 61 (D.C. Cir.1984) not upon factual contents of document sought, but upon whether the source was confidential.) Also, the agency withheld under exemption 7(C) a name contained in document J2, the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Exemptions 6 and 7(C) were intended to prevent disclosure of names and other identifying information that would embarrass or injure the reputation of private individuals. Department of Air Force v. Rose, 425 U.S. 352, 376-77 (1976);

Church of Scientoloqy, Etc. v. Dept. of State, 493 F.Supp. 418, 421 (D.D.C. i 1980). Once a privacy interest is found to exist, a balancing between the j rights of the individual and any public interest in disclosure must be '

undertaken. Id. at 372. Having applied the balancing test to the withheld information, Thelieve thit the privacy interests of the individuals outweigh any public interests in disclosure. Thus, withholding of the personal privacy  !

information under exemptions 6 and 7(C), and the confidential source  !

information under exemption 7(D) is appropriate.

- I 8710090108 871005 MA4 -A-58 PDR l

l i

o l

2 Document K3 is predecisional and represents preliminary plans and ideas of an investigator on how to approach an investigation. These plans are shared with a superior and thereafter a determination is made on how and whether to l implement the plans. Such predecisional documents which reveal the agency's  ;

deliberative process are protectible under exemption 5 of the FOIA in order to

" prevent injury to the quality of agency decisions." N.L.R.B. v. Sears, i Roebuck, & Co., 421 U.S.132,151 (1975). Any facts contained in the document I are inextricably intertwined with deliberative material. See Ryan v. j Department of Justice, 617 F.2d 781, 790-91 (D.C. Cir.1985 Their release {

would pennit an indirect inquiry into predecisional agency deliberations and would leave only meaningless words and phrases. Neufeld v. IRS, 646 F.2d 661, l 663 (D.C. Cir.1981); Russell v. Department of the Air Force, 682 F.2d 1045, i 1048 (D.C. Cir. 1982).

Document K4 in its entirety and the majority of document K5 also contain names and other identifiers which could reasonably be expected to disclose confidential sources. See Founding Church, Etc. v. U.S. Marshals Service, 516 F.Supp. 151, 155 (D X C. 1980); 5 U.S.C. t 552(b) (7)(D). A portion of document K5 contains information that is not exempt under the F0IA. Thus, the Commission shall release it. For your convenience, I have enclosed a copy of that page.

This letter represents final agency action on your August 2, 1987 FOIA appeal.

Judicial review of the denial of documents is available in Federal District Court in the district in which you reside or have your principal place of business, or in the District of Columbia.

Si cerel l l

afue Q J.% ilk Secretarg of the Commission

Enclosure:

As stated

{

l l

l l

l l.

. CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT .

{ (Original to source of information, NRC to retain signed copy of , du  !

I have information that I wish to provide in confidence to the U. S. Nuclear RGgulatory Commission (NRC). I request an express pledge of confidentiality lj as a, condition of providing this information to the NRC. I will not provide i this information voluntarily to the NRC without such confidentiality being extsnded to me.

. j It is my understanding, consistent with its legal obligations, the NRC, by agreeing to this confidentiality, will adhere to the following conditions:

(1) The NRC will not identify me by name or personal identifier in any NRC l initiated document, conversation, or communication released to the public '

which ' relates directly to the infomation provided by me. I understand the term "public release" to encompass any distribution outside of the NRC with ,

the exception of other public agencies which may require this information  ;

in futherance of their responsibilities under law or public trust, i (2) The NRC will disclose my identity within the NRC only to the extent required for the conduct of HRC related activities.

(3) During the course of the inquiry or investigation the NRC will also make every effort consistent with the investigative needs of the Commission to avoid actions which would clearly be expected to result in the disclosure of 1 my identity to persons subsequently contacted by the NRC. At a later stage j I understand that even though the NRC will make every reasonable effort to ]

protect my identity, my identification could be compelled by orders or subpoenas ,

issued by courts of law; hearing boards, or similar legal entities. In such  !

, cases, the basis for granting this promise of confidentiality and any other I relevant facts will be communicated to the authority ordering the disclosure )

in an effort to maintain my confittentiality. If this effort proves unsuccessful, l a representative of the NRC will attempt tc, infom me of any such action before j disclosing my identity.

1 I also understand that the NRC will consider me to have waived my right to confidentiality if I take any action that may be reasonably expected to disclose my identity. I further understand that the NRC will consider me to have i waived my rights to confidentiality if I provide (or have previously provided) i information to any other party that contradicts the information that I provided i l

to the NRC or if circumstances indicate that I am intentionally providing false information to the NRC.

Other Conditions: (ifany)

I have read and fully understand the contents of this agreement. I agree l (2h its provisions. '

~

l ,

~

Date Signature of socce of ~ information Typed or Printed Name and Address _,,

_ Agreed to op behalf of the US Nuclear Regulatory. Connissioru -

, , .. . k

_ _ ._. . l ..

l Date Signature l Typed or Printed Name and Title Revision 1 , ___ _ ._ ___.. _.

g wyyW h46 6 6 # 6 *

,p g L,_________________ _ _ _ . _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ . .

n .

. _E-rA -

4.?P RESPONSE TO FREEDOM CF l ae* DQ ranw

)1 INFORMATION ACT (FOlAl REQUEST **

JUL 15 sp oocarr asussoas .e _.

'% Daat J W e .

PART 1.- AtConDs RELEAMD OR Is0T LOCATED isee chectes sesset tee esency .ecere mapet to me mouest hea basa locaise.

ges samassuf opency recortis subact to 9w ressest hea boon located.

3 1

[ Agens, esseres masset to me roomst met are idendRed h Appendis v717 M seest. N.w., Washevien, DC. s's serenov ensemee he putac bounceen and espimis h ew NRC Pieme Docwnern Rasm.

EI X Ageesy seasses megact to me ressest met are ideralRed h Appendh namen. TFT7 H Soest. N W., Washrgeon, DC, h a fehser under the FOtA nunter and reewester name.

d are bem0 modo evetebte br ps4Ac especten auf copyhg h the IWRC Pete Decisme The seasquepresary wereien of me propossNs) Wet you agreed to acompt in a totaphone cortvereseen useth a morrdner of say sesff is neur toeg made avetsMs ty putec %

and eseWig at me NRC Putte Document Room.1717 H Street, N W . Washsngton, DC. in a tehser under this FOLA russear ased seossesy fWme.

Encsosed be bdermeten on how you mey otrises access to and the chargse kr copyme recore pieced en the NRC Putec Document Room.1717 N Soest, atw, WC e . DC.

c Agricy seeeres mApuct W the ressest are enctosed. Any he harge 4r ecoons of the recoros provided and peynere procedures se noemd bi me comumene secten.

n e,en se ao me request have been revenes so swear Federet meencytes) ear review and erect response to you.

bl NJW M M('$ f6 W NE M N Ob M on M N M -

PART tt.A-INFORMATION WTTHMELD FR064 PUSL8C DISCLOSUM g,g gismsmselon h me roguesend records is berg wethhst6 from pulse h-e pursuent so the FOIA smeregruons deserted h and ter Wie reasons sesend ei Port 5. est.

css s. C and D. Any reisesed po nors of me docunene kr u+uch orW pan of we record is bang withheed are hetg mede avessede ter pdec hepasses and cop tw efftC Puhac Document Room,1717 H Spost, N.W., Westunpiort DC in a foeder under the FOLA number and roomssur nano.

Commones l

l I

i l

M ~N W O W-w/,s.

. , . :f ,;_,,;, '/.*, ,)wg(

>^ <

',n

- Q bm,>">,'

' n/

8,e - . , -, ,

, ' -n ',> ,,

+

~ . +

~', ~*. , ' ' '

't x w '

,w

,9,:

.g,,

,f?;; -

4 ,

m.

G' y,8 (s,

< < \

t,, , >) >.,

.+eg ,,,gs T;,>,<>, ,~ s e.

n A

~ , ' ,

, ~ ' . ~' .,' > ;.;;

,,5 f , ve p *'p' 4 ',s> E

, ,<~,e<

< 4 /<^, ', f ,',,

.>v'

' ',,,',s .>, '> .', \'< N s

~

9.,,, u /<s

,~ , c, s 3

Z<' , ;>>

, .s , ,t "': . l' g o; z ? , < . r ', ,

. .- ; ~f, 5 - ~ .- -

s' , l p;,'3 p g ', ~ z 's sT c y, ' ' ' ;' g. , 4 ,. $ f')'

y '((4 <E p ', 'g> ( N s,' sss [ ] ,1 42 T, s , ' , ' , / sg, ^" ' ',s '\

, s 'h ,2 f '

1 l

x .' ~

" 'l: '* ,< '? h , ' ' ' ;? '1 , h, ,' ' *, ?~

f \ , -'

2, % ) ', ,'n' ' ; ' , ~ l ' t'< g) p f," , ~ ' ', l c.~.1,$y,'

iq,y ,. x*l~^,,,

o< . ,, ,~~ . ' L 't , ~ ~-

'v

< ', ." s

,~ v

' :' R ~ ~ ' ; ,,^l3

• j,' -j'

' $s .3.%

,> .,, A. o s;'s,>-

33 W (M 0 m

> Affi>OM 05 m2 MAT 1008 ACT CESPopfSE poia seguegn,g, g74 , M g j PART ll 8- APPUCASLg pos ,6 gagy pygg,,,

-- -~ and ter-t

, ,e

e. e.nore,,s r s xw es we we= owmaii e s u.s.c. as2ibi .no io e,n ,3,,, ,,ynNcN.*' '*" '"'"*Y in part une , pain 1

1. 79. ampsumes edem. con a repeey dessfed pwmma m (aseveve Onser 1226 sExghertiges 3, i

l

2. Ylie .spe.as eWom.non seisme esme, o og vs.vW ps.nnel ewho ens receewee os evac. Itxtnerriose a l l,.,,.

e *_.

w get.145 of Wie Asumac En,,, Ass esasi pWem e. docteure et Aenesse oog, e, pe,m,,,r Assut.s Duas le U S C. 216121s,.

gestum 147 af 9e Atomit luegy Asa epish @ We h W 6 gesap_ee infomuman se USC. 31st 9, .assums bisem.sen h e eu. e==* * """"8 * """"" "d""#'" 8*' t b'69 "'8*ses ser e. med hose.d: Enasenose as m p e . . .__ _

Its hemsn.non is corsesed a he portmut 4densson pwouent so 10 CFA 2.7toigHtt n aamiss ed a.be8 * **8='a tem e , es e ,,eus, n.em n . io e,n 2.)soise

& 19e .e.p.bf bisomenon oude af b,as,eysisy a huessmey recarils that ese riot evuestle decovery GMssehen obssin.e of poescimesul bilarmsens esusag w to been M em,g g e msnage af episs assneuf to Wie esebersehse pecuse. recesen me m Wies enesty, Wie tacts ese W.usenegar 4

- - espegstle factal partene baseme Se sense of Gie test meidd penedt en g:g;-J.= ,:; re=,*,e*."".'.s.denshin. D.ue she se g ,,s.,,,,,,,,,e,r,n.n.m.- . - - - e.e, - e.se e.ecy. ,no.

7 9,,,,gggggg ,isymonian sanks og peggg_y use ter low enforcommi pingsmus ensi b basg .dedubi der 9e seassWel bedsened. (EX88FTWhd M es.ddb.yg spiser pism use.me.th an 8,dysansus esema 18Isesse pumas usagemspuntg or abetonas vestseen ofllffRC esised smiesl reeusenents Wie trene r . esepe. eestion.

.NERAPnopf 7 tanand tueus of andernema. aNone q ,,,,,_,e e ,_. - ., _ . .,

I z _ e_ ,__ , - 9. _ ,.e PANT N.C.GE.,ine. L . Aa a

_d = .,

,,e,,,,.. 9e

. c . enoi- e.s,9e U,1,,,lb,sb,u,,3.l". .".'.C.aunheen W k.h be.n A.nswe_ied . .mm.e b.een.ie.ts.mWWWW h gg ,,jg ,,,,- ii. - .e e. - .e e.e a.r . .se ie e ouuse.,.i . .

e .e n.ue.

u sesmca =-

n ===9==.*' ^

^r ..LAft L . -i uk Bo ll ^ l'" k*. %'Wmg m' ' sA-. 1a , y osamp

--; es n. u ,,, -

[" g pha em u JL a X

"W pw s

E,y.^V %_ %ft K >^

I X_

lp.w y --: mg,y,mm y l L

, Pant a e- Appeal neoerts 7,.enestaproedideavb*e.,,

me* ,, ine,,

,., . e - . A e_.b e..

_ Appee. must be addressed as espessima m en Execudw _ _,,,_... Dheter ter -

stasa, p F ., washingen, oc sees, and shauss sauerty semes on to envelope and h the Isaar 2 - er a  ;

• • c'*a"*"'*""" JWA RESPONSE CONTINUATION REmm comummon een .

j

k Re: F01A-87-228 APPENDIX H RECORDS MAINTAINED AMONG POR FILES

1. 12/16/86 Ltr from J.W. Gallagher, Philadelphia Electric Co.. to i Thomas T. Martin, Region I, NRC Accession ho. 8612230385, i i

4 l

l i

l 3

Re: F0!A-87-228 APPEh0!X I RECORDS MAlhTAINED IN THE PDR UNDER THE ABOVE REQUEST NlstBER

1. Undated Draft $ynopsis of Case No. 1-85-019 (5 pages).

2. Undated Investigator's handwritten notes (13 pages). J

3. Undated Comparison of Manpower and Delays (1 page).

4, 8/26/85 Various Organizational Charts (8 pages).

5. 11/21/85 Handwritten 1tr to Carol Gibbs from Mr. Matakas (1 pg).

6. 5/8/86 Memo from Ben B. Hayes to Thomas E. Murley, re: Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station (PSAPS); Alleged Threats to l l

Employees to Prevent Disclosure of Possible Overexposure i to NRC (1-85-019) (1 page).

7. 6/25/86 Memo from Chester W. White to Thomas E. Murley, re:

Release of Office of Investigations Report No. 1-85-019:

Peach Bottom Atomic Station / Alleged Threats to Employees )

j to Prevent Disclosure to NRC (1 page).

8. 7/9/86 Memo from Ben B. Hayes to Thomas E. Murley, re: Office of Investigation Report ho. 1-85-019, A11e# Threats to Employees to Prevent Disclosure of Poss' ble Overexposure to NRC, Peach Bottaa Atomic Power Station (1 page).

9. 8/28/86 Memo from Chester W. White to Thomas E. Murley, re:

Report of Investigation No. 1-85-019 (1 page).

10. Undated Bartlett Nuclear. Inc. Persommel Policy (6 pages).

i Re: F01A-87-228 APPENDIX J i

RECORDS PARTIALLY WITHHELD i I

1. Various Investigation Status Record (4 pages) Ex. 7d,6 h iC. .  !

2. 9/20/85 Chronological Record (1 page) Ex. 7c.

i i

a l

l I

i l

1 I

1 I

. Re: FOIA-87-228 APPENDIX K RECORDS TOTALLY WITHHELD

1. Undated Draft letter from Thomas Murley to Philadelphia Electric, re: Notice of Violation and proposed Civil Penalty w/ enclosure (6 pages) (Exemption 5).

2. Undated Memo from Thomas Murley to James Taylor, re: Proposed Civil Penalty (2 pages) (Exemption 5).

3. 10/17/86 Investigative Work Plan (4 pages) (Exemption 5).

4. Various Investigator's notes on various interviewees (167 pages).

(Exemption 70) i - 5. Various Report of Interview / Statement / Interview notes of l

confidential source (58 pages) (Exemption 7D).

6. 1/28/87 Memo from Gary M. Holahan for Jane Axelrad, re:

Enforcement Action 87-05, Peach Botton Unit 3 (1 page).

(Exemption 5) l 0

6

1 e

• a 1

1 GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT 1555 Connecticut Avenue. N.W., Suite 202 l (202)232 "*

W6sNNron. D C. 20006 MIDWEST OFFICE 104 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE APPI.ETON , WISCONSIN 54915-8605 l 1

i April 15, 1987-  ;

i FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST nirvtor SEEDOM OF HIFORMAT10ll {

l

Of fice of Administration g j U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20210 8[ [7-M[ {

j TO r.iOM IT MAY CONCERN i

fSh 'h 1 1

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552,- i the Government Accountability Project (GAP) requests copies of any and .j all agency records and information, including but not limited to notes, J 1etters, memoranda, draf ts, minutes, diaries, logs, calanders, tapes, transcripts, summaries, interview reports, procedures, instructions, engineering analyses, drawings, files, graphs, charts, maps, photograp.s, agreements, hadnwritten notes, studies, data sheets, notebooks, books, i telephones messages, computations, voice recordings, computer runof f s, j ond any other data compilations, interim and/or final reports, status. .

reports, and any and all other records rg_4ggsnt:1erand/es yeneF6EWi conneeti'on with the dvanissaL;ofrarheETth physleistr6stlebigart'[:-[. i l

g at,ttsiiheachstot491(a,n,,uc,lgygplanGes Diceanber 30, 1986' see' enclosed). Thisreported request by the Associated covers Press onbo's.

records generated before and af ter the release of the report, as well as any records ge:.c.r:. -

1 in connection with this request.

l 1

1

~

This' request includes all agency records as defined in 10 C.F.R. 9.3a b.:

and the NRC Manual, Appendix 0211, Parts 1. A.2 and A.3 (approved October 8, 1980) whether they currently exist in the NRC of fical, "w c e.;i ..q '

investigative or other files, or at any other location, including prive.:a' residences.

If any records as defined in 10 C.F.R. 9.3a(b) and the NRC Manual, s .: . a .

and covered by this request have been destroyed and/or removed af ter des request, please provide all surrounding records, including but not li.mi t:d to a list of all records w hich have been or are destroyed and/or re:r.cVed, o description of the action (s) taken relevant to, generated in connection wc end/or issued in order to implement the action (s) .

l -W-pp- 3p

l l

gar equests that fees be waived, because " finding the J

.n f orma ti rn can be considered as primarily benefiting the general oublic," 5 U.S.C. 5 52 (a) (4) (a). GAP i s a non prof it, non-partisan public interest organization concerned with honest and open government.

Through public outreach, the Project promotes whistleblowers as agents l pf government accountability. Through it Environmental Whistleblower flinic, GAP of fers assistance to local public interest and citizens grcups and interveners in the concern for safety at ,nuq1 ear power plants.

W3 are requesting this information as part of an ongoing monitoring ,

project of the NRC's ef f orts to protect public health and saf ety at l Jnd near nuclear processing plants and radioactive waste f acilities. ,

For any documents or portions that you deny due to a specific POI A exemption, please provide an index itemizing and describing the The index should provide Docum2nts or portions of documents withheld.

a dotoiled justification of your grounds for claiming each exemption, 2xplaining why each exemtion is relevant to the document or portion Df the document withheld. This index is required under Vaughn h977 LoSan (1), 484 F2d 820 (D.C. Cir. 1973), cert. denied, 415 U.S.

Dl974).

Wa look forward to your response to this request within ten (10)

Sorking days.

Sincerely, i David S. Rubinton, Coordir ator FO!T. Litigation Clinic, GTP i -

20sponnes to this request should be mailed to  :

104 E. Wisconsin Avenue Appleton, Wisconsin 54915-8605 -

4

. . .. - 1. . . 1 - 1 >.; f Rai-

, h w AssocA3tI3 Fress'

-* ' . 2 crials mi the_ Ak file Were complied th ~dit 453:h sti;. Frci . Thti:- '

3- :2*s nay .)ot be_ republished without the e'.' pre.5 Lritten consent Or'~' '

< AJ 5. ;; L *.20 P f el s . ' -

December 30,:1986,;TJezday, P.T :fcle

.5ECTI*N: Domestic News -

LENGTH: 287 wards. ,

HEADi.INE: NRC: Feach Botton Fired Whistle-Blower

(* f :

tb DATEL N ' PHILADELPHIA KEYWOF.D: Nuke Whistle-Blower BODY: .

A riuclear power plant employee exposed to radiation at the: Peach Bottcc nuclear plant was laid off because he notified the Nuclear Regulatory Comt;.;n -

'of thE incident, an NRC spokesman says.

\

h.'

, P r

The Associated Press, December 30, 1986 ,

l'. .e

' Hcwever, Philadelphia Electric Company, which owns 42.5 percent of the Pasc'..

Battcc plant, said the employee, a ' health physicist, was dismissed in a cur:1 c. -

a t tPE plant that reduced the Work force from 130 employees to 90, f' The federal regulatory agency will review the case and release its findincs

' by the end of next sonth at the earliest, according to Bob Gallo, NRC sectn ~

chief responsible for the Peach Bottom plant, which is located near the Mary 1In korder. D.

said Monday.

"This has a chilling effect on employees at all. nuclear. power plants," 32*1: _

"I' they feel they will lose their jobs if they spaCic the NRC, e/Entct*1; there he said. could be potential problems at the plant that we wouldn't find out accay A 1974 federal law prohibits employees at nuclear power plants from beir.;

fired for " whistle-blowino," Gallo said. -

_ . _ _ - - - - - _ _ - _ _ _ - - - - _ - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - -