RIS 2002-12B, Research and Test Reactors NRC Threat Advisory and Protective Measures System
| ML022540694 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/09/2002 |
| From: | Beckner W D NRC/NRR/DRIP/RORP |
| To: | |
| Mendonca M, NRC/NRR/DRIP/REXB, 415-1128 | |
| References | |
| RIS-02-012B | |
| Download: ML022540694 (5) | |
SAFEGUARDS INFORMATION
1 Because of its classification as Safeguards Information, NRC restricted distribution ofInformation Notice 98-35 to certain classes of licensees.SAFEGUARDS INFORMATIONUNITED STATESNUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONOFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATIONWASHINGTON. D.C. 20555-0001September 9, 2002NRC REGULATORY ISSUE SUMMARY 2002-12BRESEARCH AND TEST REACTORSNRC THREAT ADVISORY AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES SYSTEM
ADDRESSEES
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) research and test reactors.
INTENT
The NRC is issuing this Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS) to inform addressees of changes tothe descriptions of the various threat advisory conditions and provide guidance that addressees may use in preplanning graded protective measures to respond to changes in the threat environment. This RIS supersedes Information Notice 98-35, "Threat Assessments and Consideration of Heightened Physical Protection Measures" (dated September 4, 1998).
1 It isnoted that a RIS is generally used to communicate with the nuclear industry on a variety of matters for which no response or action is required. This RIS communicates actions the NRC
considers appropriate at each threat level. In the interest of expediency, the Commission has determined that issuance of this RIS is the most efficient mechanism to align the Office of Homeland Security, NRC, and licensee expectations with respect to licensees' response to threat advisories.
BACKGROUND
The Office of Homeland Security (OHS) has developed a Homeland Security Advisory System(HSAS) to provide a comprehensive and effective system to disseminate information regarding Upon Removal of Enclosure 2this Document is DECONTROLLED
SAFEGUARDS INFORMATIONSAFEGUARDS INFORMATIONRIS 2002-12B the risk of terrorist attacks to Federal, State, and local authorities and the public. The HSASimplements Homeland Security Presidential Directive 3 (HSPD-3), March 11, 2002. This new system includes five color-coded threat conditions with a description of corresponding actions at each level. These conditions are:Green (Low Condition) Low risk of terrorist attackBlue (Guarded Condition) General risk of terrorist attackYellow (Elevated Condition) Significant risk of terrorist attackOrange (High Condition) High risk of terrorist attackRed (Severe Condition) Severe risk of terrorist attackDISCUSSIONThe HSAS provides a consistent national framework for allowing government officials andcitizens to communicate the nature and degree of terrorist threats. The advisory system characterizes appropriate levels of vigilance, preparedness, and readiness for each threat condition and describes associated actions that should be taken to counter and respond to terrorist activities.In declaring threat conditions, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Assistant to thePresident for Homeland Security will consider, but not be limited to, the following factors:To what degree is the threat information credible?To what degree is the threat information corroborated?To what degree is the threat specific and/or imminent?How grave are the potential consequences of the threat?To what degree is the target vulnerable to the threat?HSAS advisories regarding threat conditions may be declared for the entire nation or for aspecific geographical area, or functional or industrial sector, and will be sent to local, State, and Federal government agencies as appropriate. In general, the threat conditions escalate as the likelihood or imminence of an attack increases.Although the threat condition will be determined by the Attorney General, the NRC has theobligation under HSPD-3 to establish the appropriate protective measures. In addition, the NRC has the obligation to respond to risks, threats, incidents, and events at NRC-regulated facilities, or involving NRC-regulated materials.Upon a declaration of an HSAS threat condition, the NRC will promptly notify affected licenseesof the threat condition and of the appropriate protective measures. In addition, the NRC may find it appropriate to notify affected licensees to establish certain protective measures in the absence of an HSAS declaration. The NRC could take such a step, for example, to respond to an emergency or a site-specific situation.
SAFEGUARDS INFORMATIONSAFEGUARDS INFORMATIONRIS 2002-12B The NRC is using this RIS to announce its threat advisory and protective measures system toimplement the HSAS for research and test reactor licensees. The NRC will relay information relating to the threat conditions using the color-coded system defined by the HSAS. The NRC
has also defined protective measures in five levels, which generally correlate with the five color- coded conditions of the HSAS. Protective measures at each level build upon the actions defined in the lower levels. For example, measures at level III will include those measures taken at levels I and II.The level I (Low) protective measures, which generally correspond to the greenthreat condition, are considered to be the routine level of operation and are satisfied by licensees maintaining the security programs required by the regulations, individual licenses, and Orders. Measures to enhance security need to be available so that they can be readied or implemented in higher threat conditions when called upon. The level II (Guarded) protective measures, which generally correspond to theblue threat condition, warrant more action by the licensees, but will generally not involve significant action beyond the routine level of operation. These actions would typically relate to readiness, e.g., notifying personnel to standby, or bringing in additional security officers to prepare for an enhanced response.
Actions taken at level II will include those taken at level I.The level III (Elevated) protective measures, which generally correspond to theyellow threat condition, warrant enhanced security measures and additional resources, perhaps on a sustained basis, but would be based on hardware and personnel already at the licensee
's disposal. (Note: When the HSAS was firstannounced on March 12, 2002, OHS also announced that the country was then considered to be in a Yellow threat condition.) Actions taken at level III will include those taken at levels I and II.The level IV (High) protective measures, which generally correspond to theorange threat condition, assume that the licensee
's security organization is at itshighest sustainable level and that the licensee will request augmentation by local and State, and possibly Federal, resources to provide additional defensive capabilities to the extent such resources can be made available. (Note: NRC
advisories will provide additional specific information to the licensee(s) as information about the threat develops. Any additional licensee actions will be based upon threat specific information). Actions taken at level IV will include those taken at levels I, II, and III.The level V (Severe) protective measures, which generally correspond to the redthreat condition, assume that the licensee will request augmentation by Federal resources beyond State and local resources to provide additional defensive capabilities to the extent such resources can be made available to enhance the SAFEGUARDS INFORMATIONSAFEGUARDS INFORMATIONRIS 2002-12B security of the facility. NRC will facilitate implementation of this added Federalpresence. (Note: It is expected that this condition will be limited to one or a very small number of licensees for a limited period of time. Any additional specific actions will be based on an ongoing assessment of the threat by the NRC and other Federal agencies.) Actions taken at level V will include those taken at levels I, II, III, and IV.When the Attorney General of the United States makes a change in threat condition that affectsNRC licensees, the NRC will issue a threat advisory notifying its licensees of the change. The NRC will refer licensees to the recommended protective measures outlined in the table attached to this RIS. Regardless of the current threat condition, licensees are required to comply with existing regulations, licenses, and Orders. The table is designed to provide a clear description of the basic actions appropriate to achieve the desired level of protection. The NRC
may tailor the protective measures to be implemented based on the nature of the threat, including specific instructions regarding protection against a specific mode of attack.In some cases, the circumstances of a particular threat may warrant that additional securitymeasures be implemented beyond those provided in the attached table. For example, such additional measures may be necessary depending upon the type of licensee affected, the safeguards risks associated with various licensed activities, the specific vulnerabilities at a given site, the suspected mode of attack, and the likelihood and nature of the threat. Although most terrorist attacks occur without specific warning, whenever possible, the NRC will provide information about the nature and projected timeframe of the threat.The protective measures in the attached table are assigned to particular threat levels, reflectingthe seriousness of the threat and the need for timely action to address the threat. Therefore, prompt implementation of the measures is essential if the steps are to be effective in protecting the facility.The Commission may need to direct additional measures to deal with a fast-moving situation inthe transition period before a formal declaration of a threat escalation by the Attorney General.
HSPD-3 makes clear that agency heads
"retain the authority to respond, as necessary, to risks,threats, incidents, or events at facilities within the specific jurisdiction of their department or agency." In these cases, the NRC threat advisory will include additional specific guidancebeyond what is generically prescribed in the tables for a particular threat level.NRC will update the table enclosed with this RIS as necessary to reflect changes in protectivemeasures for various threat levels and to reflect results from its ongoing comprehensive review of security matters. In addition, this RIS will be reviewed at least once a year and revised as necessary consistent with requirements to report changes to the Office of Homeland Security by August 1 of each year. Licensees seeking to provide input to the RIS and possible revisions should forward comments to the contact listed below.
SAFEGUARDS INFORMATIONSAFEGUARDS INFORMATIONRIS 2002-12B
BACKFIT DISCUSSION
RISs are generally used to communicate with the nuclear industry on a variety of matters forwhich no response or action is required. This RIS communicates actions the NRC considers appropriate at each threat level, but these actions are not requirements. A backfit analysis has not been performed.
FEDERAL REGISTER NOTIFICATION
A notice of opportunity for public comment was not published in the Federal Register becausethis RIS is informational. The Commission also plans to issue additional regulatory issue summaries in this series to cover additional classes of licensees, or NRC-licensed activities, as
NRC's review progresses. Any specific comments should be forwarded to the contact listedbelow.
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT
This RIS does not request any information collection; therefore, this RIS is not subject to thePaperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.)If you have any questions about this matter, please telephone or e-mail one of the technicalcontacts listed below./RA/William D. Beckner, Program Director Operating Reactor Improvements Program Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs Office of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical Contacts:Marvin Mendonca, NRR/DRIP301-415-1128, mmm@nrc.govDennis Gordon, NSIR/DNS301-415-1162, dxg@nrc.govEnclosures:1. HSPD-3, Homeland Security Advisory System2. Threat Conditions and Specific Actions for Research and Test Reactors