ML20055G734

Discusses Investigation Re Veracity of Training Program Records.Records Negligently Prepared & Supporting Data Either Nonexistent or in Disarray

ML20055G734
Person / Time
Site:	South Texas
Issue date:	03/08/1989
From:	Driskill D NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:	Beth Brown NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
Shared Package
ML20055C208	List: ML20055C207 ML20055G674 ML20055G687 ML20055G700 ML20055G702 ML20055G710 ML20055G715 ML20055G719 ML20055G725 ML20055G731 ML20055G734 ML20055G740 ML20055G744 ML20055G748 ML20055G753 ML20055G765 ML20055G769 ML20055G773 ML20055G775 ML20055G780 ML20055G782 ML20055G783 ML20055G786 ML20055G788 ML20055G797 ML20055G805
References
FOIA-89-540 NUDOCS 9007240119
Download: ML20055G734 (2)

Text

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l' - /e UNITBo STATil f

, o NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION T if OFFICE OF INytST10ATioh8 FitLD OFFICE. A60lON IV

% . . . . . .' '" "EiwYow. Ts'dSE! "

March 8, 1989 N,'

MEMORANDUM TO: Bill Brown, Regional Attorney Region !Y, NRC d(. "

L. . .

• FROM: Donald D. Driskill, Director, Field Office Region IV Office of Investigations

SUBJECT:

STP Investigation Dut .g June 1987, the Office of Investigations, Region IV Field Office, initiated an investigation concerning the veracity of South Texas Project (STP) training program records. As this investigative effort was conducted in parallel with an ongoing NRC Region IV inspection effort focused on STP's readiness for lockdown a closer than normal affiliation developed between 01 investigators and NRC inspectors. This relationship evolved as it was found that information sharing mutually improved our data gathering efforts.

Early on during both the investigation 6nd inspection efforts, it became apparent the STP guaro force training records had been negligently prepared and that data supporting those records was either nonexistent or in disarray.

As might be expected, STP Security Department management personnel were generally defenJive, somewhat uncooperative, and on at least one occasion ,

confrontational.

A particular instance of this nature occurred during the first week of the investigative / inspection effort at the NRC Resident Inspector's Office. On this occasion, Andrew Hill, STP Nuclear Security Manager, and Lawrence J.

Ryley,11. STP Physical Protection Services Division Manager, were asked to the office to discuss matters associated with the NRC inspection findings.

NRC inspectors present were Bruce Earnest and Ronald Caldwell (NRC Region IV  :

Security Inspectors). '

At the outset of this meeting, Ryley began chiding NRC personnel generally for  !

" intimidating" STP security personnel. Ryley was promptly informed to notify I the appropriate NRC officials concerning any instances wherein he believed intimidating conduct had occurred. Bruce Earnest then began describing some of.the problem areas which had been identified up to that point during the NRC inspection. Ryley immediately became argumentative in his disagreement.

Ryley's demeanor was aggressive, to the degree it was confrontational, and in try view his comments and tone were verbally abusive toward Earnest. Hill at no time attempted to dissuade Ryley from being argumentative.

During this exchange, I interjected myself into the conversation and attempted to soothe Ryley's temper. After a few minutes, Ryley allowed Earnest to finish his description of the inspection findings.

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i I was not a witness to any other such situations, however, further 01 investigation disclosed Ryley was the principle manager responsible for the  !

organizational climate which fostered the violations identified with the STP i security training program. Testimony OI obtained from first ifne manager; in the STP security organization disclosed Ryley was a temperamental manager who would not accept suggestions and whose demanding, no excuses style, le1 t no alternative courses for subordinates to follow. It is iny view that when Ryley's organizational house of cards began to fall, he dogmatically defended his position to NRC inspection personnel. His manner during this period could clearly be viewed as hostile.

Hill, on the other hand, appeared to have allowe6 himself to be insulated from "

the existing problems by virtue of his apparente11y passive personality.

Ryley did not inform him of the problem areas, and he did not look for them.

When the seriously deficient training program was identified by the NRC, Hill ,

was not prepared to defend either the program or himself. At no time was I aware of Hill's demeanor being other than that )f an observer to the developing situation.

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' At no time did I observe any actions by Bruce Earnest, Jim Kelly,

• Ron Caldwell, or Larry Yandell, which I would have viewed to be inappropriate or unprofessional. Their professional demeanor, in my presence, reflected '

favorably upon the image of the NRC Region IV office.

I have heard rumors since that time that one, so;no, or all of the NRC Security '

trapectors were alleged to have evinced discriminatory conduct during that inspection effort. Without being aware of the specific charges, I will say it is my opinion that these allegations have been made by person (s) who are attempting to mitigate what may have been embarrassing NRC findings relative to their areas of responsibility, I noted no statements or conduct, in private or otherwise, during the NRC inspection / investigation which could have been or would be interpreted as discriminatory in nature.

I have previously offered to provide my testimony in the appropriate forum regarding this matter, and again, I will be pleased to discuss the topic if asked.

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