ML21096A305
| ML21096A305 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/26/2021 |
| From: | Kevin Williams NRC/NMSS/DMSST |
| To: | Dring K Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation |
| White D | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML21096A308 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML21096A305 (9) | |
Text
April 26, 2021 Katherine Sebastian Dring, Chairwoman Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation
SUBJECT:
STATE OF CONNECTICUT LETTER OF INTENT TO ASSUME REGULATORY AUTHORITY CURRENTLY HELD BY THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Dear Chairwoman Dring:
I am writing to inform you that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received a letter from the Governor of Connecticut of their intent to enter into an Agreement with the NRC to regulate academic, industrial and medical facilities within their borders. The NRCs Agreement State Program allows the NRC to discontinue, and a State to assume regulatory authority over radioactive materials and activities specified in an Agreement. In accordance with the NRCs Tribal Policy statement, which promotes tribal outreach to keep Indian Tribes informed about the agency actions and plans, the NRC will conduct outreach activities with federally recognized Tribes beginning at the Letter of Intent stage of an Agreement State application. The NRC encourages participation by State-and Federally recognized tribes in the regulatory process. The NRCs tribal liaisons (TLs) will serve as the primary points of contact as we implement our Federal Trust Responsibility. Specifically, the TL, along with the NRC Project Manager for the Connecticut Agreement, will inform the Tribes of the process and expectations and differences between responsibilities and level of engagement once the Agreement is in effect.
On December 20, 2020, the State of Connecticut submitted a letter of intent to the NRC to pursue an agreement with the NRC to assume regulatory authority over the possession and use of byproduct material, source material and special nuclear material in limited quantities used at academic, commercial and medical facilities through the NRCs Agreement State Program.
Since that time, the State of Connecticut has started to work on their draft application, drafting regulations and amending their legislation. The NRC expects that the State will submit its draft regulations for review later this year and its draft application in 2023.
In accordance with the NRCs process, the NRC will review the letter of intent and subsequent proposed agreement to determine whether the States radiation control program is adequate to protect public health and safety and compatible with the NRCs nuclear materials program. If the Agreement is approved, the NRC would retain regulatory authority over byproduct material related to uranium and thorium milling activities, the evaluation of sealed sources and devices containing radioactive materials, the land disposal of low-level radioactive waste and the regulation of commercial nuclear power plants (NPPs). The NRC would continue to consult with Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation, as appropriate, on the regulatory activities involving NPPs.
Chairwoman Dring 2 Enclosed is a fact sheet on the NRCs Agreement State Program and a set of frequently asked questions. The NRC will keep you informed as the State of Connecticuts application moves through the review and approval process.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the Agreement State Program, please contact Mr. Brian Anderson, Branch Chief, Agreement State Programs Branch at (301) 415-9967, or by e-mail at Brian.Anderson@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Signed by Williams, Kevin on 04/26/21 Kevin Williams, Director Division of Materials Safety, Security, State, and Tribal Programs Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards cc: Jeffery Semancik, State of Connecticut
Enclosures:
- 1. Fact Sheet about the Agreement State Program
- 2. Frequently Asked Questions
Chairwoman Dring 3 Identical letters and ccs to the following addresses:
Tribal Leader THPO (for federally recognized Tribes)
Golden Hill Paugussett 427 Shelton Rd Trumbull, CT 06611 E-mail: jewel4198@yahoo.com Rodney A. Butler, Chairman Marissa Turnbull, THPO Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribal Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribal Nation Nation 2 Matts Path 110 Pequot Trail P.O. Box 3060 Mashantucket, CT 06338 Mashantucket,CT 06338-3060 E-mail: MTurnbull@mptn-nsn.gov E-mail: RodneyButler@mptn.org R. James Gessner Jr., Chairman James Quinn, THPO Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut 13 Crow Hill Road 13 Crow Hill Road Uncasville, CT 06382 Uncasville, CT 06382 E-mail: communications@moheganmail.com E-mail: jquinn@moheganmail.com Richard Velky, Chief Schaghticoke Tribal Nation 101 Elizabeth Street 2nd Floor Derby, Connecticut 06418 E-mail: STN1699@yahoo.com
Fact-Sheet about the Agreement States Program Agreement States Program Under the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRC) Agreement State Program, a State signs a formal agreement with the NRC to assume regulatory authority over certain types of radioactive materials. The program was established in 1959, with the first agreement signed in 1962. Once a State signs such an agreement, it is commonly referred to as an Agreement State. Currently, there are 39 Agreement States.
While the NRC discontinues regulatory authority, the agency still maintains an oversight role by conducting periodic reviews of Agreement State programs. This is accomplished through the NRCs Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program. The goal of this process is to ensure that States programs protect public health and safety and operate in a manner consistent with the NRCs regulatory program.
The NRC provides support and assistance to Agreement States, starting when a State expresses interest in signing an agreement and continues after an agreement is signed. For example, the NRC:
sponsors and conducts technical training courses and workshops; evaluates State rule changes to ensure compatibility with the NRCs requirements; and provides opportunities for early and substantive involvement in the NRCs rulemaking and other regulatory efforts.
Major steps in the process by which a State becomes an Agreement State:
The Governor sends a letter to the NRC Chairman expressing the intent to become an Agreement State.
The State submits a draft application to the NRC for review and comment.
The Governor certifies that the State has an adequate program and submits a formal request that includes supporting legislation, regulations, program description, and staffing.
The NRC assesses the request and, after Commission approval, publishes the staffs assessment and proposed Agreement in the Federal Register for a 30-day public comment period.
The NRC assesses public comments and prepares a final assessment.
After Commission approval, the Chairman and the Governor sign the Agreement.
Enclosure 1
Fact-Sheet about the Agreement States Program Timeframe to become an Agreement State:
The NRCs part of the process takes about a year to complete, from the time the agency receives the formal request. Adding the time it takes for the State to develop its program and regulations, after the letter of intent, the entire process typically requires three to five years.
2
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the State of Connecticuts Request to Pursue an Agreement with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission What is an Agreement State?
Congress authorized the NRC in Section 274b. of the Atomic Energy Act to enter into Agreements that allow States to assume, and the NRC to discontinue, regulatory authority over byproduct, source, and small quantities of special nuclear material. The State can then regulate byproduct, source and small quantities of special nuclear materials that are covered in the Agreement, using its own legislation, regulations or other legally binding provisions. The Commission will enter into an Agreement, if the Commission finds the State program adequate to protect public health and safety and compatible with the NRC's regulatory program. The NRC ensures that an Agreement State program remains adequate and compatible through periodic review and assessment under the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program.
How many states are currently in the Agreement State Program?
There are 39 Agreement States that regulate approximately 16,500 radioactive material licenses, or approximately 88 percent of all radioactive material licenses nationally.
What exactly would the Agreement with Connecticut allow the State to regulate and what would the NRC continue to regulate?
The Agreement that Connecticut has requested will allow the State to assume regulatory authority over the possession and use of byproduct material, source material and special nuclear material in limited quantities used at academic, commercial and medical facilities. Once the Agreement is approved by the Commission, Connecticut will regulate approximately 125 radioactive material licensees. The NRC would retain regulatory authority over federal agencies, nuclear power plants, federally recognized Tribal lands and the evaluation of sealed sources and devices within the State.
What are the steps in the process by which a State becomes an Agreement State?
The major steps are:
The Governor sends a letter to the NRC Chairman expressing the intent to become an Agreement State.
The State submits a draft application to the NRC for review and comment.
The Governor certifies that the State has an adequate program and submits a formal request that includes supporting legislation, regulations, program description and staffing.
The NRC assesses the request and after Commission approval publishes the staff's assessment and proposed Agreement for a 30-day comment period.
The NRC assesses public comments and prepares a final assessment.
After Commission approval, the Chairman and the Governor sign the agreement.
Enclosure 2
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the State of Connecticuts Request to Pursue an Agreement with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission How long is the proposal review process that results in a State becoming an Agreement State?
The NRC's part of the process takes about a year to complete starting when the agency receives the final application from the State. Adding the time it takes for the State to develop its program, train its staff, and adopt compatible regulations, after it sends in a letter of intent, the entire process typically requires approximately 4 years.
Where is Connecticut's application within this timeline?
The NRC has been working with the State of Connecticut since the fall of 2019. Governor of the State of Connecticut submitted a letter of intent to the NRC Chairman on December 10, 2020. Current projections are that the Agreement application process will be completed and the Agreement signed by the end of 2024.
What opportunities are currently available or will be available in the future to comment on the State's program and the governing regulations?
Those interested in receiving notifications from the Connecticuts Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) of major developments in their process to adopt regulations to support an Agreement State application can enroll for email notifications with the State.
Information can also be obtained from the DEEPs Division of Radiation, Jeffery Semancik, Jeffery.Semancik@ct.gov or (860) 424-3029.
Will the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews continue to be part of application reviews for materials covered under the Agreement once Connecticut becomes an Agreement State?
No, unless another federal agency, such as the Bureau of Land Management or the Environmental Protection Agency, is involved in the licensing action. The NHPA and NEPA are Federal statutes that apply to federal undertakings and major federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Future licensing reviews would be State actions and subject to the regulations developed by the State of Connecticut.
Would the transfer of regulatory authority from the NRC to the State of Connecticut be considered a Federal undertaking as defined in the NHPA and therefore require consultation to comply with Section 106 with federally recognized Tribes and other concerned individuals and stakeholders?
No. The review and consideration of an application for an Agreement is not a federal undertaking that is subject to NHPA Section 106 review.
If federally recognized Tribes have concerns about the Connecticut Agreement State proposal and the impact of the NRC's acceptance of Connecticut as an Agreement State on Tribal engagement what are the channels for expressing these concerns?
Federally recognized Tribes may contact the NRC with any concerns about Tribal engagement.
Information on the Connecticut Agreement State proposal can be obtained from Duncan White, Connecticut Agreement Project Manager (duncan.white@nrc.gov, 301-415-2598).
2
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the State of Connecticuts Request to Pursue an Agreement with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Will the State of Connecticut regulate activities on Tribal land held in trust by the Federal government, Tribal reservations, or allotted land?
No. Federally recognized Tribes and their land or reservations that are in an area of exclusive federal jurisdiction are only subject to the NRC's regulatory authority. The NRC will continue to regulate the possession and use of byproduct, source and special nuclear materials if they are on land or reservations under exclusive federal jurisdiction. There are currently no facilities in Connecticut that would be transferred to the State as part of the Agreement that are located on Tribal land. Case-by-case determinations will be needed to determine regulatory authority over Tribal lands that are not under exclusive federal jurisdiction.
What if a federally recognized Tribe leases its land to a private operator? Who would regulate?
The NRC would still be the regulatory authority if a federally recognized Tribe leases its land under exclusive federal jurisdiction to a private operator. Case-by-case determinations would be needed to determine regulatory authority if the Tribal lands are not under exclusive federal jurisdiction.
3
ML21096A308; Ltr ML21096A305 NMSS/MSST OFFICE NMSS/REFS/RASB NMSS/MSST/SALB NMSS/MSST
/SLPB BAnderson NAME AWhite AW JShepherd JS KWilliams KW JO'Hara for JO DATE Apr 13, 2021 Apr 13, 2021 Apr 15, 2021 Apr 26, 2021