ML100150354
| ML100150354 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/21/2010 |
| From: | Robert Lewis NRC/FSME/DMSSA |
| To: | |
| Hawkins, Sarenee MSSA/SMPB 415-7562 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML100150421 | List: |
| References | |
| RIS-10-002 | |
| Download: ML100150354 (4) | |
See also: RIS 2010-02
Text
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF FEDERAL AND STATE MATERIALS
AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
WASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001
January 21, 2010
NRC REGULATORY ISSUE SUMMARY 2010-02
THE GLOBAL THREAT REDUCTION INITIATIVE (GTRI)
FEDERALLY FUNDED VOLUNTARY SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS
FOR HIGH-RISK RADIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
ADDRESSEES
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Materials Licensees authorized to possess IAEA
Category 1 or Category 2 quantities of radioactive materials. All Agreement State Radiation
Control Program Directors and State Liaison Officers. Members of the Advisory Committee on
the Medical Uses of Isotopes.
INTENT
The NRC is issuing this Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS) as an update to RIS 2008-23, The
Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) Domestic Threat Reduction Program & Federally
Funded Voluntary Security Enhancements for High-Risk Radiological Material, dated October 3,
2008, RIS 2008-17, Voluntary Security Enhancements for Self-Contained Irradiators Containing
Cesium Chloride Sources, dated July 18, 2008, and RIS 2008-02, Actions to Increase the
Security of High Activity Radioactive Sources, dated February 1, 2008. This RIS requires no
specific action, or written response.
BACKGROUND
The NRC is making licensees aware of and providing updated information about the Global
Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) for voluntary security enhancements, which combines the pilot
programs discussed in RIS 2008-23 and RIS 2008-17, and is now being nationally implemented
on a voluntary basis. This program is sponsored by the Department of Energys (DOE) National
Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and has the support of the NRC and the Agreement
State Radiation Control Programs. GTRIs voluntary security enhancements complement and do
not replace NRC and Agreement State increased controls requirements.
The mission of GTRI is to reduce and protect high-risk nuclear and radiological materials located
at civilian sites worldwide. GTRI achieves its mission by converting research reactors and
isotope production facilities from the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched
uranium (LEU), removing and disposing of excess nuclear and radiological materials, and
protecting high priority nuclear and radiological material from theft and sabotage. In the United
States, GTRIs objective is to further enhance the protection of these materials through voluntary
security enhancement efforts. GTRIs voluntary security enhancements focus on (1) Elimination
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(unwanted source removal), (2) Detection (remote monitoring, access control, motion detection,
and cameras) (3) Delay (in-device delay (IDD) mechanisms, tie downs, and hardened
doors/rooms), and (4) Response (equipment, alarm response training, and table top exercises for
first responders).
The GTRI effort is one way for licensees to identify best practices beyond regulatory compliance.
Under the program, GTRI security experts provide security assessments, share observations and
make recommendations for enhancing material security. When appropriate, NNSA pays for the
installation of agreed upon security enhancements. Typical security enhancements include
automated access control, motion sensors, radiation sensors, electronic seals, alarm control and
display systems, remote monitoring of licensee facilities at off-site response locations, enhanced
security force communications and protection equipment, delay elements, and transportation
security enhancements, when appropriate.
In cooperation with NRC, NNSA and DHS partnered with cesium irradiator manufacturers to
develop IDD hardening kits for the most widely used models of cesium chloride (CsCl) blood and
research irradiators. GTRI currently funds the installation of IDD kits for Best Theratronics
Gammacell 40, 1000, 3000; JL Shepherd Mark 1 Model 22; and Pharmalucence (formerly CIS-
US) IBL 437C CsCl irradiators at volunteer facilities. These enhancements consist of adding a
set of protection hardware, including stainless steel security plates and tamper resistant
fasteners, to the irradiators, which greatly increases delay times without affecting normal
operation, use, maintenance, or service of the devices. GTRI requires the installers to use
special measures such as sound dampening and exhaust/fume hoods to protect the area they
are working within. Installations generally take 8 - 16 hours1.851852e-4 days <br />0.00444 hours <br />2.645503e-5 weeks <br />6.088e-6 months <br /> depending on the type of device, and
can be scheduled to be conducted outside of normal irradiator operating hours.
SUMMARY OF ISSUE
While licensees regulated by NRC and Agreement States are responsible for the safety and
security of licensed sources and meeting current regulatory requirements, the NRC and the
Agreement States encourage licensees to work cooperatively with manufacturers, regulators, and
other Federal, State, and local authorities to look for opportunities to further enhance the security
of their sources and devices and incorporate best practices, as applicable and appropriate. The
GTRI staff and contractors have valuable perspectives and experience on best practices from
visiting multiple licensees and operations. The recommended security enhancements from the
security assessments would be supplementary to, and consistent with, the NRCs and Agreement
States Increased Controls requirements. This voluntary program does not replace or diminish a
licensees responsibility to comply with the Increased Controls requirements or other regulatory
requirements. If these enhancements are used to meet regulatory requirements, then the
licensee is obligated to assume all responsibility for functionality and maintenance of the
enhancements. The NRC and Agreement State regulator, as applicable, will be notified by NNSA
prior to conducting a security assessment at a licensees facility. In addition, NRC and
Agreement States encourage licensees to discuss the recommended voluntary enhancements
with their regulatory agency and clarify any questions that licensees may have regarding their
specific enhancements. GTRI support is implemented on a voluntary basis and is provided at no
cost to the licensee.
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FEDERAL REGISTER NOTIFICATION
A notice of opportunity for public comment on this RIS was not published in the Federal Register
because this RIS is informational and does not represent a departure from current regulatory
requirements.
CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT
This RIS is not a rule as designated by the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 801-886) and,
therefore, is not subject to the Act.
RELATED GENERIC COMMUNICATIONS
RIS 2008-02, Actions to Increase the Security of High Activity Sources (ML080150638)
RIS 2008-17, Voluntary Security Enhancements for Self-Contained Irradiators Containing
Cesium Chloride Sources (ML081780599)
RIS 2008-23, The Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) Domestic Threat Reduction Program
& Federally Funded Voluntary Security Enhancements for High-Risk Radiological Material
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT
This RIS does not contain any information collections and, therefore, is not subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)
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CONTACT
If licensees have specific questions regarding the Global Threat Reduction Initiative and/or would
like to express interest in participating, please contact Ms. Ioanna Iliopulos, NNSA, at 202-586-
1881, or ioanna.iliopulos@nnsa.doe.gov
This RIS requires no specific action or written response. For licensing questions please contact
the appropriate regional office listed below. For other NRC related questions, please contact
one of the individuals from my office as listed below.
/RA/
Robert J. Lewis, Director
Division of Materials Safety
and State Agreements
Office of Federal and State Materials
and Environmental Management Programs
Enclosure:
List of Recently Issued Office of Federal and
State Materials and Environmental Management
Programs Generic Communications
Regional Contacts: Sattar Lodhi, Region I Kevin Null, Region III
(610) 337-5364 (630) 829-9854
Email: Sattar.Lodhi@nrc.gov Email: Kevin.Null@nrc.gov
Roberto Torres, Region IV
(817) 860-8189
E-mail: Robertoj.Torres@nrc.gov
Technical Contacts: Ernesto Quinones, FSME Sarenee Hawkins, FSME
(301) 415-0271 (301) 415-7562
E-mail: Ernesto.Quinones@nrc.gov E-mail: Sarenee.Hawkins@nrc.gov
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CONTACT
If licensees have specific questions regarding the Global Threat Reduction Initiative and/or would
like to express interest in participating, please contact Ms. Ioanna Iliopulos, NNSA, at 202-586-
1881, or ioanna.iliopulos@nnsa.doe.gov
This RIS requires no specific action or written response. For licensing questions please contact
the appropriate regional office listed below. For other NRC related questions, please contact
one of the individuals from my office as listed below.
/RA/
Robert J. Lewis, Director
Division of Materials Safety
and State Agreements
Office of Federal and State Materials
and Environmental Management Programs
Enclosure:
List of Recently Issued Office of Federal and
State Materials and Environmental Management
Programs Generic Communications
Regional Contacts: Sattar Lodhi, Region I Kevin Null, Region III
(610) 337-5364 (630) 829-9854
Email: Sattar.Lodhi@nrc.gov Email: Kevin.Null@nrc.gov
Roberto Torres, Region IV
(817) 860-8189
E-mail: Robertoj.Torres@nrc.gov
Technical Contacts: Ernesto Quinones, FSME Sarenee Hawkins, FSME
(301) 415-0271 (301) 415-7562
E-mail: Ernesto.Quinones@nrc.gov E-mail: Sarenee.Hawkins@nrc.gov
OFFICE MSSA/SMPB MSSA/SMPB MSSA/LISD MSSA OIS
NAME SHawkins AMauer AMcIntosh TReis TDonnell (by email)
DATE 01/13/10 01/15/10 01/15/10 01/15/10 01/20/10
NAME SWastler for RCorreia SCrockett TCampbell (NLO with RLewis
(by email) NLO comments) for BJones
DATE 01/13/10 01/15/10 01/19/10 01/21/10
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY