ML25017A229
| ML25017A229 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/21/2025 |
| From: | Huda Akhavannik NRC/NMSS/DMSST |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML25017A229 (1) | |
Text
CHARTER - URANIUM RECOVERY SITE REMEDIATION WORKING GROUP PURPOSE The Uranium Recovery Site Remediation Working Group (Remediation WG) has been established as a Management Directive 5.3 working group. Its purpose is to complete the requirements assigned in SRM-SECY-23-0055, Options for Licensing Emerging Technologies Used for Remediation of Mine Waste (ML24269A245) by developing guidance for remediation of abandoned uranium mine sites using a service provider licensing framework.
BACKGROUND On June 23, 2023, NRC staff issued SECY-23-0055, Options for Licensing Emerging Technologies Used for Remediation of Mine Waste, (ML23121A271) providing four options to license emerging technologies for mine waste remediation. On September 25, 2024, the Commission approved Option 2B which licenses mine waste remediation emerging technologies using a source material framework via a service provider license. The SRM directs NRC staff to:
Develop ore definition in guidance Develop license conditions [e.g., financial assurance (10 CFR 40.36), authorized use limitations (need verification that site is abandoned), NRC notifications of activities (prior to commencement of activities and after remediation is complete)]
Conduct outreach activities with Agreement States and Tribal Nations Maintain publicly available list of remediation sites that includes the status of remediation and verification that site release criteria have been met With over 15,000 abandoned uranium mine sites across the United States, the NRC will closely collaborate with Agreement State partners to develop this licensing guidance as a joint NRC and Agreement State working group. This joint NRC and Agreement State working group will evaluate the considerations highlighted in the SECY including developing guidance considering reciprocity challenges, safety evaluation acceptance criteria, environmental review acceptance considerations, and impacts to TENORM.
This joint working group will also closely collaborate with any licensing review teams evaluating applications for uranium recovery site remediation.
WORKING GROUP AND STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP The working group will operate as an NRC/Agreement State working group as described in Management Directive 5.3, Agreement State Participation in Working Groups. The working group will be co-chaired by a MSST and DUWP staff member.
Organization Working Group Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)
Huda Akhavannik, Co-Chair (MSST)
Doug Mandeville, Co-Chair (DUWP)
Nachiketh Chandran, member (MSST)
Danielle Williams, member (MSST)
Christine Pineda, member (REFS)
Advisors Duncan White, NMSS Stevie Norcross, Utah
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission/Agreement State Working Group Uranium Recovery Site Remediation 2
Organization Working Group Kristen Schwab, Washington Megan Aunan, Washington Brandi OBrien, Wyoming Agreement State Members James Grice, Colorado Shiya Wang, Colorado Office of the General Counsel Adam Gendelman, attorney Regional Offices Linda Howell, RIV ACTIVITIES AND SCHEDULE The table below describes the activities to be conducted:
Activity Lead Completion Date Definition(s)
Prepare options for the definition of ore and other terms, as appropriate Have public meeting and Government-to-Government meeting to solicit feedback on definition(s)
Finalize definition(s) for update to RIS 2000-23 Issue update to RIS for Federal Register Notice to solicit comment and feedback Issue update to RIS for Federal Register Notice for potential second comment period Issue RIS Doug Mandeville March 2025 March 2025 April 2025 November 2025 March 2026 May 2026 Guidance Development Identify appropriate vehicle for guidance and begin drafting guidance Have public meeting and Government-to-Government meeting to solicit feedback on guidance Huda Akhavannik January 2025 March 2025
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission/Agreement State Working Group Uranium Recovery Site Remediation 3
LEVEL OF EFFORT EXPECTED OF PARTICIPANTS To support the schedule and activities listed above, the following level of effort is expected from the working group participants:
- 1. Attendance at weekly meetings (2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> per week).
- 2. Attendance at stakeholder outreach events (approximately 15 hours1.736111e-4 days <br />0.00417 hours <br />2.480159e-5 weeks <br />5.7075e-6 months <br /> total);
- 3. Development and/or review of working group products, such as analyses (10 to 15 hours1.736111e-4 days <br />0.00417 hours <br />2.480159e-5 weeks <br />5.7075e-6 months <br /> per week);
- 4. Periodic briefings with interested managers on the working group activities to solicit feedback and comments (1 hour1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> per briefing).
NRC members should charge time associated with working group activities identified in this charter to Charge Accounting Code: A34018 EPID G-2024-AGN-0036; Agreement State members should charge to their respective codes.
MEETINGS Meetings are pre-decisional and will be closed to the public.
Working group members may delegate an alternative representative for a specific meeting. The working group may also invite individual(s) to a meeting to participate as a resource to assist the working group with a particular issue. However, at least one of the named Co-Chairs must be present during any working group meetings.
Activity Lead Completion Date Issue draft guidance for 60-day public comment Have public meeting and Government-to-Government meeting to solicit feedback Issue Guidance November 2025 November 2025 May 2026 Other Activities Identify options to maintain publicly available list of remediation sites and have public meeting Begin Consultation with Tribes Huda Akhavannik March 2025 February 2025
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission/Agreement State Working Group Uranium Recovery Site Remediation 4
Available technology will be used to facilitate interaction with the working group members.
Face-to-face meetings, if necessary, will generally be held in the Washington, D.C., area unless alternate locations are agreed upon by working group members. If travel is necessary, travel and per diem expenses for Agreement State members of the working group will be covered by MSST. Regions are responsible for the travel expenses of their staff. Any face-to-face meetings will include a hybrid component so members who cannot travel can still participate.