ML20009C005
| ML20009C005 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/26/1981 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Bush G PRESIDENT OF U.S. & EXECUTIVE OFFICES |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20009B970 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8107200153 | |
| Download: ML20009C005 (21) | |
Text
T s'
i OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR WILLI AM P. CLEMENTS, JR.
'iTATE CAPITOL GOVERNOR AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 May 13, 1981 Mr. John F. Ahearne, Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C.
20555
Dear Mr. Ahearne:
This is in response to your letter of January 29, 1981, concerning the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's evaluation of efforts by the Texas Department of Health to comply with provisions under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
I apologize for the delay in responding to your concerns, however, it was necessary to coordinate this matter with the Department of Health.
Also, we nave been monitoring S.B. 735 which prmeides the necessary amendments to the Radiation Control Act (Article 4590f, V.C.S.) to meet the requirements of the Uranium Mills Tallings Radiation Control Act of 1978.
The bill passed the Senate on April 30.
Its companion bill H.B.
1527 was tabled in the House Environmental Affairs Committee.
S.B. 735 embodies principles that are necessary and sound for this state to regulate nuclear and radioactive by-products.
Your second concern was the need to develop upgraded tailings management programs at existing mill sites.
Currently, Texas has two active mills using traditional mill tailing ponds for. disposal of tailings.
I am e
informed by our Commissioner of Health that both ponds already meet or exceed the NRC's criteria for tailings disposal ponds.
If my understand-ing is incorrect, please notify me.
We also realize that in order for Texas law to be compatible with NRC regulations, we need to put the companies operating the ponds under either a bond or security arrange-ment to ensure proper decommissioning and reclamation as well as long-term monitoring and maintenance.
S.B. 735 would give the Department of Health the authority to require such fiscal securities.
8107200153 810608 PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR
p' Mr. John F. Ahearne Page 2 May 13, 1981 With reference to the additional staffing to implement the requirements of the law, S.B. 735 includes an emergency appropriation for additional staff and equipment.
The Department of Health informs me that this staff, when combined with staff provided for in the low-level radio-active waste bill that I recently signed, will provide the additional staffing as required by the NRC.
We welcome the opportunity to rcspond to your concerns and hope this information is useful in further evaluation of the Department of Health.
Sincerely, William P. Clements, Jr.
Governor of Texas kle cc:
Mr. Edward O. Vetter 2120 Republic National Bank Tower Dallas, Texas 75201