ML25050A125
| ML25050A125 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/26/2025 |
| From: | John Lubinski Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards |
| To: | Watt I State of NH, Dept of Health & Human Services |
| References | |
| Download: ML25050A125 (1) | |
Text
Iain Watt, Director Division of Public Health Services New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services 29 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03301
SUBJECT:
PROGRAMMATIC SUSTAINABILITY OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE AGREEMENT STATE PROGRAM
Dear Iain Watt:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) appreciates the dedication and leadership of New Hampshire to regulate the safe and secure use of radioactive materials. The New Hampshire Agreement State Program (New Hampshire) was established on May 16, 1966, based on an Agreement between the Governor of New Hampshire and the NRC. Over the past decade, the New Hampshire Agreement State Programs performance has been found adequate to protect public health and safety and compatible with the NRCs regulatory program as measured by the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP).
I am writing to share some perspectives regarding the programmatic sustainability of New Hampshire staffing. During routine communications between the NRC and the New Hampshire Agreement State Program, NRC was informed that the State of New Hampshire implemented a hiring freeze on January 22, 2025. New Hampshires Radioactive Materials Program is currently operating with three staff (e.g., the Radioactive Materials Program Manager, a Senior Health Physicist (HP) (50 percent), and a Junior HP (50 percent)), equaling approximately two full-time equivalents. Prior to the January 22, 2025, hiring freeze, the New Hampshires Radioactive Materials Program had vacancies for the Program Administrator and three Health Physicists. NRC has concerns that not filling these vacancies could impact New Hampshires programmatic sustainability and the ability to regulate the safe and secure use of radioactive materials. Filling these vacancies could enable New Hampshire to continue to implement a program that is adequate protection of public health and safety.
February 26, 2025
I. Watt 2
The NRC appreciates your continued support in ensuring the Radioactive Materials Program has the necessary resources and structure to manage and maintain an effective Agreement State Program. I want to assure you that the NRC supports the objectives of the New Hampshire Agreement State Program and will continue to work closely with the State. We appreciate your commitment to this effort.
Sincerely, John W. Lubinski, Director Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards cc: Michele Roberge, Interim Administrator Bureau of Public Health Protection Tina Laramee, Radioactive Materials Program Manager Radiological Health Section Signed by Lubinski, John on 02/26/25
ML25050A125 OFFICE NMSS/MSST/SLPB R-I/DNMS NMSS/MSST/SMPB RES/DSA/AAB NAME RJohnson FGaskins AGiantelli TBloomer DATE Feb 19, 2025 Feb 19, 2025 Feb 24, 2025 Feb 25, 2025 OFFICE NMSS NAME JLubinski DATE Feb 26, 2025