ML20155G437

Documents M Miller Call on 860127 & Closes Out File on Issue Re Observation of Marked Shipment of Nuclear Waste Which Entered Mayflower Sand & Gravel Pit

ML20155G437
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	02/19/1986
From:	Lester Tripp NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
Shared Package
ML20155G433	List: ML20155G430 ML20155G437 ML20155G447 ML20155G458 ML20155G464
References
FOIA-88-84 NUDOCS 8806170311
Download: ML20155G437 (6)

Text

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A o UNITED STATES

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e NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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.I REGION 1 631 PARK AVENUE

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KING OF PRUSSIA PENNSYLVANIA 19406 Docket No. 50-293 f[g 19 g File RI-86-A-003 Dear Mr.

Subject:

Allegation Concerniny Nuclear Waste Shipment On January 10, 1986, you called Ms. Marie Miller of our Region I staff concerning your observation in late December,1985 of a marked shipment of nuclear waste which entered the Mayflower Sand and Gravel Pit. This letter documents Ms. Miller's re-turn call to you on January 27', 1986, and closes out our file on this issue.

As explained by Ms. Miller, the Boston Edison Company routinely uses the Mayflower Sand and Gravel Pit to provide certified weights on its nuclear waste shipments when the shipments will use the New York State Th.uway. Past experience has shown them that the Thruway requires some weight certifiution, and the Mayflower Sand and Gravel Pit is the most convenient location to obtain it. One of our inspectors reviewed the shipment records at the Pilgrim Nuclear lower Station and found nu-merous copies of such weight certifications. According(v, our inquiry regarding this matter has been completed.

We appreciate you informing us of your concerns. We feel thct our actions in this matter have been responsive to those concerns; however, should you have further questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me. Please be assured that we vill continue to perform inspections to ensure that nuclett waste shipment procedures are properly followed at Pilgrim to protect the health and safety of the public.

Sincerely,

/ ,

Cg owell E. Trfpp, Chief Reactor Projects Section 3A Division of Reactor Projects l

8806170311 880610 KE 8-84 PDR 1

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The NRC staff does not itself monitor materials and eastes leaving the Pilgrim site. The .lic,ensee is required to monitor all items containing or con %aminated with radioactivity that are leaving the site. There are several facility procedures that provide specific guidance and instructions to plant health physics workers regarding this activity. All radioactive wastes that are sent to sites specifically intended for burial must meet federal regulations for radiation dose rate and contamination levels as well as special requirements of the burial sites. NRC performs routine inspections of the radioactive trans-portation area to ensure that licensees are conforming to these regulatory requirements. Further, onsite materials not thought to be contaminated that are being shipped offsite that have the potential of being contaminated are surveyed prior to being allowed off the site. The licensee is not allowed to dispose of contaminated objects in non-radwaste facilities without a special variance provided for in 10 CFR 20.302(a). BECo has not applied for these variances. To our knowledge, no contaminated objects have been di: posed of in the town dump or in other public facilities not specifically intended for contaminated objects, i

Some cut shrubs with slight contamination were disposed of on BECo property in 1987. The contamination was not detected with standard survey meters, but was so low that it was only detected on clippings using sensitive laboratory l

equipment. The clippings had been taken af ter these shrubs had been taken from the site. Notwithstanding, the contamination levels were lower than typical soil background levels and they posed no health hazard ( Inspection l

Report 50-293/87-57, dated March 11, 1988, p.12). NRC has not performed surveys for contamination of the town dump or at other BEco properties. NRC does not routinely perform contamination surveys of this type. As stated in the Inspection Report, the inspectors reviewed the licensee's program for release of material from the site and concluded that it was adequate.

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l ALLEGATION PANEL DECISIONS Priority: Medium Safety Significance: Unknown An allegation panel met on 9/1/87 regarding RI-87-A-0107 at Pilgrim, where it was alleged that:

Improper offsite shipment & disposal of radioactively contaminated shrubs.

Attendees:

S. Collins Panel Chairman L. Bettenhausen Branch Chief J. Wiggins Action Lffice Contact R. Nimitz Acting Chief, FRPS A. Shropshire Office Allege ion Coordinator FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS:

1) The AOC will recontact the alleger (ECD 9/1/87) to explain what actions the Region is taking. He will also explain that if the source of her information does not call us within 10 days, the NRC will assume that the individual is not going to call.

2) The SRI will call the licensee (ECO 9/1/87), requesting an oral response within 10 days.

3) The form of the closecut documentation will depend on the licensee's and Regional findings (either an inspection report or memo).

4) The AOC will send a closeout memo to the OAC (ECD 9/30/37) and call the alleger to provide the Region's findings (ECO 9/30/87).

Section Chief concurrence required for closecut.

"O N A. Shropshire, /DAC J.

PW ) ) Q L l v M 9/1 M ggins, A0{j/ () 'S'. ' Col l i n s Panel Chairman i

i cc:

J. Allan J. Gutierrez I C. White, 01:RI W. Johnston R. Bellamy L. Bettenhausen M. Shanbaky J. Wiggins Allegation File -

6/3

ALLEGATION DESCRIPTION Pilgrim 50-293 (Site or Licensee) (Docket No.)

Allegation RI-87-A-0107 was received on 8/31/87 at 1600 by J. J. Lyash.

Characterization of the 1 concern (s):

Improper offsite shipment & disposal of radioactively contaminated shrubs.

Confidentiality: No Employer: Private Citizen Position: N/A Type of Regulateo Activity: Reactor Functional Area (s): Offsite Health and Safety DETAILS: (Timeframe of Allegation: Current)

The alleger stated that she believes that Boston Edison improperly disposed of a truckload of radioactively contaminated shrubs. She indicated that on the night before the Mass. Assistant Secretary of Public Safety, Peter Agnes, toured Pilgrim, the licensee removed, destroyed ("chopped up") and transferred offsite a truckload of shrubs. She stated that the shrubs were transported offsite in a landscapers truck, and that she helieves they were radioactively contamine.ed .

and improperly disposed of. She also stated that this occurred in the "middle of the night " The alleger declined to provide any additional details concerning the source of her information or the circumstances surrourding the shipment.

She also agreed to provide her telephone number for followup questions. She stated that she had not contacted the licensee regarding this concern and would not do so.

J. Wiggins contacted the alleger on 8/31/87 and asked that the individual's source call the Region so more information could be obtained.

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ALLEGATION PANEL DECISIONS Priority: Medium Safety Significance: pnknown An allegation panel met on 1/25/88 regarding RI-88-A-0007 at Pilgrim, where it was alleged that:

Radioactive resin was buried under a large pile of soil on licensee property outside the protected area.

Attendees-W. Kane Panel Chairman J. Wig' ins Branch Chief R. Blough Action Office Contact L. Doerflein Project Engineer, RPS-3B A. Shropshire Office Allegation Coordinator FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS:

1) The AOC will send an acknowledgement letter to the alleger (ECO 1/31/88).

2) The SRI will provide info to the licensee (ECD 1/31/88).

3) The licensee's findings will be documented (ECD 4/15/88) in an inspection report.

4) The AOC will send a closeout letter to the alleger (ECD 4/30/88).

Branch Chief concurrence required for closecut.

A. Shropshi're, OAC R. 8)4Ggh, AOC 3Ymu1I)0fhtd Mfr

'W. Kane/

Panel Chairman CC:

J. Allan J. Gutierrez C. White, 01:RI W. Johnston J. Wiggins R. Blough Allegation File d./d

i .

e ALLEGATION DESCRIPTION Pilgrim 50-293 (Site or Licensee) (Docket No.)

Allegation RI-88-A-0007 was received on 1/21/88 at 0915 by J.J. Lyash.

Characterization of the 1 concern (s):

. Radioactive resin was buried under a large pile of soil on licensee property outside the protected area.

Confidentiality: No (no identity provided to 0AC)

Employer: Private citizen Position: N/A Type of Regulated Activity: Reactor Functional Area (s): Offsite Health & Safety DETAILS: (Timeframe of Allegation: 1982)

The alleger contacted the resident office and stated that radioactive resin from a January 1981 resin spill, had been dumped on a large pile on licensee property. The alleger also stated that additional radioactive resin was placed on the pile about one year later. Subsequently, the resin was covered up by other soil. The pile of soil is located adjacent to the contractor parking lot, on licensee prcperty, outside the protected area. The alleger would not identify the source of the information but stated that it came from a "reliable onsite" source.

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