ML19064B401

Welcome Letter to North Dakota

ML19064B401
Person / Time
Issue date:	03/07/2019
From:	Paul Michalak Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
To:	Patrick D State of ND, Dept of Health
Lynch J
Shared Package
ML19064B397	List: ML19064B401
References
Download: ML19064B401 (4)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 March 7, 2019 Dale Patrick, Director North Dakota Dept. of Health Division of Air Quality 918 East Divide Ave.

Bismarck, ND 58501-1947

SUBJECT:

STATE LIAISON OFFICER APPOINTMENT

Dear Mr. Patrick:

I am pleased to learn of your appointment as the State Liaison Officer (SLO) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the State of North Dakota. I would like to take this opportunity to provide some general information about the role of the SLO in serving as the principal communications liaison between the NRC and your State.

The SLO Program was established in 1976 in response to recommendations from the National Governors Association and other organizations to improve cooperation between the NRC and the States. The NRC relies on the Governor-appointed SLOs to act as the primary communication channel between the States and the NRC. The SLO serves as the key person in the State to keep the Governor informed on issues under the NRCs jurisdiction (specifically matters addressing nuclear regulation, nuclear security, and radiological public health and safety), and provides the NRC with State information on these issues. I have included with this letter an NRC brochure - NUREG/BR-0520, State Programs at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Enclosure 1) - that describes some of the NRCs interactions with States, including the SLO Program. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission State Liaison Officer Program (Enclosure 2), describes the program in greater detail, including the responsibilities of the SLO.

Also enclosed, you will find an NRC procedure - Management Directive 5.2, Cooperation with States at Commercial Nuclear Power Plants and Other Nuclear Production or Utilization Facilities (Enclosure 3). This management directive contains the NRCs policy on cooperation with States and more detailed information about the SLO program and responsibilities. I encourage you to review this document.

D. Patrick 2 Communications Mr. Bill Maier, our Regional SLO in the NRC Region IV office, located in Arlington, Texas, will be your primary contact for routine communications. You will continue to receive copies of NRC documents and reports on a regular basis to keep you informed of matters that are of interest to your State. In addition, I encourage you to visit the NRCs Web site at www.nrc.gov, where you will find information about the agencys mission and programs. The Stay Connected section (located on the left side of the main page) contains links to multiple social media tools that can help you stay informed of NRC-related news. One of these features, RSS feeds, allows you to subscribe to a variety of agency updates and may be particularly useful. Also, the NRC conducts a National State Liaison Officer Conference, usually every 2-3 years, and regional meetings as needed, to discuss matters of mutual regulatory interest.

Handling of Sensitive Information The SLO serves as the primary individual in the State who is responsible for handling sensitive information, including Safeguards Information (SGI), from the NRC. The SLO is responsible for ensuring that recipients of such information have a need-to-know and for implementing the appropriate measures for storing and protecting the information from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 73.21. Please find enclosed NRC Regulatory Guide 5.79, Protection of Safeguards Information (Enclosure 4). This document describes a method that the NRC considers acceptable for use in establishing an information protection system and implementing the specific requirements for the protection of SGI.

In closing, the NRCs cooperative relationships with States are essential to accomplishing the agencys mission of protecting public health and safety; providing for common defense and security; and protecting the environment. We hope that this relationship will be beneficial for both the State of North Dakota and the NRC. Your role in continuing this vital relationship is important. We look forward to our continued work with you.

D. Patrick 3 Please feel free to contact Mr. Maier at (817) 200-1267. In the event of his unavailability, please do not hesitate to call me at the NRC Headquarters at (301) 415-5804, or Mr. Jeffery Lynch of my staff at (301) 415-5041, concerning any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Paul Michalak, Branch Chief Agreement State Program Branch Division of Materials Safety, Security, State, and Tribal Programs Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

Enclosures:

1. NUREG/BR-0520, State Programs at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

2. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission State Liaison Officer Program

3. Management Directive 5.2, Cooperation with States at Commercial Nuclear Power Plants and Other Nuclear Production or Utilization Facilities

4. Regulatory Guide 5.79, Protection of Safeguards Information cc: B. Maier (w/o Enclosures)

D. Patrick 4

SUBJECT:

STATE LIAISON OFFICER APPOINTMENT ADAMS Package Accession Number ML19064B395 OFC NMSS/MSST RGN IV:RSLO NMSS/MSST:BC NAME JLynch BMaier PMichalak (via e-mail)

DATE 1/22/19 1/22/19 3/7/19 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY