ML043060493
| ML043060493 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Dow Chemical Company |
| Issue date: | 11/10/2004 |
| From: | Dyer J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Huckleberry M - No Known Affiliation |
| A Adams, NRR/DRIP/RNRP, 415-199 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML043060529 | List: |
| References | |
| G20040706, TAC MC4893 | |
| Download: ML043060493 (4) | |
Text
November 10, 2004 Mr. Mike Huckleberry 120 South Lafayette Street Greenville, MI 48838
SUBJECT:
INQUIRY ABOUT SECURITY AT THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY TRIGA RESEARCH REACTOR, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN (TAC NO. MC 4893)
Dear Mr. Huckleberry:
This is in response to your letter of October 19, 2004, inquiring about security at the Dow Chemical Company TRIGA Research Reactor located in Midland, Michigan. We appreciate the opportunity to discuss our nuclear safety requirements and programs.
Provisions that protect the facility and fuel at the facility provide an acceptable level of protection. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) evaluates the safeguards and security requirements considering potential unauthorized removal of radioactive material, including the fuel at research reactors such as the TRIGA Research Reactor at the Dow Chemical Company.
Since September 11, 2001, we have specifically reviewed and inspected the Dow Chemical Company TRIGA Research Reactor and found that they meet the post September 11, 2001, NRC security requirements. They have made security program enhancements to protect the fuel, facility and members of the public. The provisions provide a defense in depth approach that has multiple layers of protection.
Your letter ask specific questions about the security arrangements at the Dow Chemical Company TRIGA Research Reactor and the timing of when certain security arrangements were put in place. Because of their sensitivity, we cannot discuss the specific provisions of security at the Dow Chemical Company TRIGA research reactor or the timing of when specific aspects of security were put into place. However, the enclosure to this letter contains general information about security at research and test reactors, including the Dow Chemical Company TRIGA Research Reactor.
Thank you for your interest in this matter.
Sincerely,
/RA/
J. E. Dyer, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-264
Enclosure:
Research and Test Reactor (RTR) Security cc w/enclosure: See next page
Dow Chemical Company Docket No. 50-264 cc:
Office of the Mayor 333 West Ellsworth Midland, MI 48640 Office of the Governor Room 1 - Capitol Building Lansing, MI 48913 Stan Dombrowski Chair, Radiation Safety Committee Dow North America 1803 Building Midland, MI 48667 Dr. Kevin Hool, Level 1 Manager The Dow Chemical Company TRIGA Nuclear Reactor 1602 Building Midland, MI 48674 Test, Research, and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center Gainesville, FL 32611
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTOR (RTR) SECURITY The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) required security at Research and Test Reactors (RTR) long before the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Following September 11, 2001, the NRC promptly advised RTR licensees to heighten security to protect against radiological sabotage and theft of nuclear material. Subsequently, NRC required RTR licensees to take additional security measures (ASMs). The NRC has verified that appropriate security measures are in place to protect RTR facilities. Further, NRC maintains regular communications with other Federal agencies, e.g., the Department of Homeland Defense, to continue assessing potential threats to all classes of licensees including RTRs.
RTR security requirements are graded. That is, stricter requirements are imposed on RTRs with material that is more attractive for theft or sabotage. The security programs and systems are required to provide for the early detection, assessment and response of unauthorized access or activities. These security programs include control of access to facilities. Licensee security forces are also required to patrol and monitor the facilities. Alarms or other devices or procedures are required to detect unauthorized presence or activities. Licensee security forces are required to respond to all unauthorized penetrations or activities. The security requirements follow a defense-in-depth approach.
After the September 11, 2001, attacks, in addition to licensees heightening security, the NRC sent many advisories to licensees, including RTR licensees. The licensees have reviewed these advisories and implemented ASMs. ASMs include provisions for vehicle, insider, and land-based assault threats. ASMs include, but are not limited to, enhancements to access authorization and controls, communication systems, and vehicle and package searches. The ASMs also include heightened coordination with appropriate local, State, and Federal resources. RTR licensees also established liaisons with the FAA and report unusual overflights or potential threats.
ENCLOSURE
November 10, 2004 Mr. Mike Huckleberry 120 South Lafayette Street Greenville, MI 48838
SUBJECT:
INQUIRY ABOUT SECURITY AT THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY TRIGA RESEARCH REACTOR, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN (TAC NO. MC 4893)
Dear Mr. Huckleberry:
This is in response to your letter of October 19, 2004, inquiring about security at the Dow Chemical Company TRIGA Research Reactor located in Midland, Michigan. We appreciate the opportunity to discuss our nuclear safety requirements and programs.
Provisions that protect the facility and fuel at the facility provide an acceptable level of protection. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) evaluates the safeguards and security requirements considering potential unauthorized removal of radioactive material, including the fuel at research reactors such as the TRIGA Research Reactor at the Dow Chemical Company.
Since September 11, 2001, we have specifically reviewed and inspected the Dow Chemical Company TRIGA Research Reactor and found that they meet the post September 11, 2001, NRC security requirements. They have made security program enhancements to protect the fuel, facility and members of the public. The provisions provide a defense in depth approach that has multiple layers of protection.
Your letter ask specific questions about the security arrangements at the Dow Chemical Company TRIGA Research Reactor and the timing of when certain security arrangements were put in place. Because of their sensitivity, we cannot discuss the specific provisions of security at the Dow Chemical Company TRIGA research reactor or the timing of when specific aspects of security were put into place. However, the enclosures to this letter contains general information about security at research and test reactors, including the Dow Chemical Company TRIGA Research Reactor.
Thank you for your interest in this matter.
Sincerely,
/RA/
J. E. Dyer, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-264
Enclosure:
Research and Test Reactor (RTR) Security cc w/enclosure: See next page DISTRIBUTION: G20040706 PUBLIC RNRP/R&TR r/f RidsNrrWpcMailCenter RidsNrrDripRnrp RidsNrrDrip RidRgn3MailCenter RidsNrrOgcMailCenter RidsNrrOd RidsNsirOd RidsEdoMailCenter BSweeney CNagel EHylton PACKAGE ACCESSION NO.: ML043060529 INCOMING ACCESSION NO.: ML042960440 RESPONSE ACCESSION NO.: ML043060493 TEMPLATE NO.: NRR-106 OFFICE RNRP:PM Tech Editor RNRP:LA RNRP:SC RNRP:PD NAME AAdams PKleene EHylton PMadden WBeckner DATE 11/3/2004 11/2/2004 11/3/2004 11/3/2004 11/8/2004 OFFICE NSIR DRIP:D NRR:DD NRR:D NAME SMorris DMatthews RBorchardt JDyer DATE 11/5/2004 11/9/2004 11/10/2004 11/10/2004 C = COVER E = COVER & ENCLOSURE N = NO COPY OFFICIAL RECORD COPY