NUREG-0945, Responds to Re Definition of Low Level Waste. Classification Sys Sets Forth Three Classes of Low Level Waste,Class A,B or C.Class a Wastes Contain Smallest Concentration & Class C Contains Largest Concentrations
| ML20248D634 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/31/1989 |
| From: | Bell M NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Healey R AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| REF-WM-3, RTR-NUREG-0782, RTR-NUREG-0945, RTR-NUREG-782, RTR-NUREG-945 NUDOCS 8904110523 | |
| Download: ML20248D634 (1) | |
Text
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DISTRIBUTION:
(LLWH 89-019)
M M 89-019 Central Fil 202.1 JGreeves NMSS r/f Ro'berta Healey JSurmeier LLRB r/f
{
Star Route Notwich, NY 13815 el GRoles
$48 3 f 1999
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Oear Ms. Healey:
i In response to your March 2 letter, " low-level waste" is defined by the U.S.
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Congress to essentially mean radioactive material subject to Nuclear Regulatory 1
Commission (NRC) regulation that is not high-level waste, spent fuel, or j
uranium mfll tailings.
NRC regulates disposal of lou-level waste based primarily on Part 61 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR l
Part 61). This regulation cuntains, among other requirements, a low-level l
waste classification system.
This classification system sets forth three
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c) asses of. low-level waste (Cla.;s A, Class B, and Class C waste) suitable for i
near-surface disposal (disposal within about the top 30 meters of the earth's j
surface). Waste is determined to be in one of these classes based on the 1
concentrations of particular radionuclides within'the waste.
Chss A waste j
contains the smallest concentrations and Class C waste the largest
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concentrations.
Wast? having concentrations excceding Class C limits is deemed 1
not generally suitable for near-surface disposal.
By law, disposal of this
" greater-than-Class C' low-level waste is the responsibility of the U.S.
Department of Energy.
As you suggest, the Department of Energy may decide to Aispose of this waste in a geologic repository.
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l The derivation of the Part 61 regulation is explained primarily in two docum: nts, the Caft and final environmental impact statements for the Part 61 rulemaking (NUREG-0782 and NUREG-0945).
Because these documents 6re both large, multiple-volume, publication, I hwe not included them with this
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letter.
I have enclosed, however, a draft guide to the Part 61 regulation, j
This draft guide includes a more complete discussion of the NRC low level waste i
classification system The glotscry in the draft guide tells how you may obtain copias of the draf t and environmental impact statements, if you so desire them.
l 7 hope that this letter is responsive to your concern.
,f
.7 Michael J. Bell, Chief Regulatory Branch Division of Low-Level Waste Management and Decommissioning l
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Enclosure:
As stated PDR Yes 8/
POR No
/ _/ Reason:
Proprietary /~~/ or CF Only /~ /
@ ~~ O ALNW Yes /~~/
No l
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