In the Matter of All Licensees Who Possess Radioactive Material in Quantities of Concern and All Other Persons Who Obtain Safeguards Information Described Herein; Order Issued Imposing Requirements for the Protection of Certain Safeguards Information (Effective Immediately), 14961-14964 [E6-4281]

Agencies

• NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14961-14964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4281]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[EA-04-191]


In the Matter of All Licensees Who Possess Radioactive Material 
in Quantities of Concern and All Other Persons Who Obtain Safeguards 
Information Described Herein; Order Issued Imposing Requirements for 
the Protection of Certain Safeguards Information (Effective 
Immediately)

    The Licensees, identified in Attachment A \1\ to this Order, hold 
licenses issued in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, by 
the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) or an 
Agreement State, authorizing them to possess and transfer items 
containing radioactive material quantities of concern. The NRC intends 
to issue security Orders to these licensees in the near future. Orders 
will be issued to both NRC and Agreement State materials licensees who 
may transport radioactive material quantities of concern. The Orders 
will require compliance with specific Additional Security Measures to 
enhance the security for transport of certain radioactive material 
quantities of concern. The NRC will issue Orders to both NRC and 
Agreement State licensees under its authority to protect the common 
defense and security, which has not been relinquished to the Agreement 
States. The Commission has determined that these documents contain 
Safeguards Information, will not be released to the public, and must be 
protected from unauthorized disclosure. Therefore, the Commission is 
imposing the requirements, as set forth in Attachment B of this Order, 
so that affected Licensees can receive these documents. This Order also 
imposes requirements for the protection of Safeguards Information in 
the hands of any person,\2\ whether or not a licensee of the 
Commission, who produces, receives, or acquires Safeguards Information.
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    \1\ Attachment A contains Official Use Only--Security Related 
Information and will not be released to the public.
    \2\ Person means (1) any individual, corporation, partnership, 
firm, association, trust, estate, public or private institution, 
group, government agency other than the Commission or the 
Department, except that the Department shall be considered a person 
with respect to those facilities of the Department specified in 
section 202 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 
1244), any State or any political subdivision of, or any political 
entity within a State, any foreign government or nation or any 
political subdivision of any such government or nation, or other 
entity; and (2) any legal successor, representative, agent, or 
agency of the foregoing.
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    The Commission has broad statutory authority to protect and 
prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of Safeguards Information. Section 
147 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, grants the Commission 
explicit authority to ``issue such orders, as necessary to prohibit the 
unauthorized disclosure of safeguards information * * * .'' This 
authority extends to information concerning transfer of special nuclear 
material, source material, and byproduct material. Licensees and all 
persons who produce, receive, or acquire Safeguards Information must 
ensure proper handling and protection of Safeguards Information to 
avoid unauthorized disclosure in accordance with the specific 
requirements for the protection of Safeguards Information contained in 
Attachment B. The Commission hereby provides notice that it intends to 
treat violations of the requirements contained in Attachment B 
applicable to the handling and unauthorized disclosure of Safeguards 
Information as serious breaches of adequate protection of the public 
health and safety and the common defense and security of the United 
States. Access to Safeguards Information is limited to those persons 
who have established the need-to-know the information, and are 
considered to be trustworthy and reliable. A need-to-know means a 
determination by a person having responsibility for protecting 
Safeguards Information that a proposed recipient's access to Safeguards 
Information is necessary in the performance of official, contractual, 
or licensee duties of employment. Licensees and all other persons who 
obtain Safeguards Information must ensure that they develop, maintain 
and implement strict policies and procedures for the proper handling of 
Safeguards Information to prevent unauthorized disclosure, in 
accordance with the requirements in Attachment B. All licensees must 
ensure that all contractors whose employees may have access to 
Safeguards Information either adhere to the licensee's policies and 
procedures on Safeguards Information or develop, maintain and implement 
their own acceptable policies and procedures. The licensees remain 
responsible for the conduct of their contractors. The policies and 
procedures necessary to ensure compliance with applicable requirements 
contained in Attachment B must address, at a minimum, the following: 
The general performance requirement that each person who produces, 
receives, or acquires Safeguards Information shall ensure that 
Safeguards Information is protected against unauthorized disclosure; 
protection of Safeguards Information at fixed sites, in use and in 
storage, and while in transit; correspondence containing Safeguards 
Information; access to Safeguards Information; preparation, marking, 
reproduction and destruction of documents; external transmission of 
documents; use of automatic data processing systems; and removal of the 
Safeguards Information category.
    In order to provide assurance that the licensees are implementing 
prudent measures to achieve a consistent level of protection to 
prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of Safeguards Information, all 
licensees who hold licenses issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission or an Agreement State authorizing them to possess and who 
may transport items containing radioactive material quantities of 
concern shall implement the requirements identified in Attachment B to 
this Order. The Commission recognizes that licensees may have already 
initiated many of the measures set forth in Attachment B to this Order 
for handling of Safeguards Information in conjunction with current NRC 
license requirements or previous NRC Orders. Additional measures set 
forth in Attachment B should be handled and controlled in accordance 
with the licensee's current program for Safeguards Information. In 
addition, pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202, I find that in light of the common 
defense and security matters identified above, which warrant the 
issuance of this Order, the

[[Page 14962]]

public health, safety and interest require that this Order be effective 
immediately.
    Accordingly, pursuant to sections 81, 147, 161b, 161i, 161o, 182 
and 186 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the 
Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 2.202, 10 CFR part 30, 10 CFR part 
32, 10 CFR part 35, and 10 CFR part 70, it is hereby ordered, effective 
immediately, that all licensees identified in Attachment A to this 
Order and all other persons who produce, receive, or acquire the 
additional security measures identified above (whether draft or final) 
or any related safeguards information shall comply with the 
requirements of Attachment B.
    The Director, Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards, 
may in writing, relax or resend any of the above conditions upon 
demonstration by the licensee. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.202, the 
Licensee must, and any other person adversely affected by this Order 
may, submit an answer to this Order, and may request a hearing on this 
Order, within twenty (20) days of the date of this Order. Where good 
cause is shown, consideration will be given to extending the time to 
request a hearing. A request for extension of time in which to submit 
an answer or request a hearing must be made in writing to the Director, 
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, and include a statement of 
good cause for the extension. The answer may consent to this Order. 
Unless the answer consents to this Order, the answer shall, in writing 
and under oath or affirmation, specifically set forth the matters of 
fact and law on which the Licensee or other person adversely affected 
relies and the reasons as to why the Order should not have been issued. 
Any answer or request for a hearing shall be submitted to the 
Secretary, Office of the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, 
Washington, DC 20555. Copies also shall be sent to the Director, Office 
of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555, to the Assistant General Counsel for 
Materials Litigation and Enforcement at the same address, and to the 
Licensee if the answer or hearing request is by a person other than the 
Licensee. Because of possible disruptions in delivery of mail to United 
States Government offices, it is requested that answers and requests 
for hearing be transmitted to the Secretary of the Commission either by 
means of facsimile transmission to 301-415-1101 or by e-mail to 
hearingdocket@nrc.gov and also to the Office of the General Counsel 
either by means of facsimile transmission to 301-415-3725 or by e-mail 
to OGCMailCenter@nrc.gov. If a person other than the Licensee requests 
a hearing, that person shall set forth with particularity the manner in 
which his interest is adversely affected by this Order and shall 
address the criteria set forth in 10 CFR 2.309.
    If a hearing is requested by the Licensee or a person whose 
interest is adversely affected, the Commission will issue an Order 
designating the time and place of any hearing. If a hearing is held, 
the issue to be considered at such hearing shall be whether this Order 
should be sustained.
    Pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202(c)(2)(i), the Licensee may, in addition to 
demanding a hearing, at the time the answer is filed or sooner, move 
the presiding officer to set aside the immediate effectiveness of the 
Order on the ground that the Order, including the need for immediate 
effectiveness, is not based on adequate evidence but on mere suspicion, 
unfounded allegations, or error. In the absence of any request for 
hearing, or written approval of an extension of time in which to 
request a hearing, the provisions specified in section III above shall 
be final twenty (20) days from the date of this Order without further 
order or proceedings. If an extension of time for requesting a hearing 
has been approved, the provisions specified in Section III shall be 
final when the extension expires if a hearing request has not been 
received.
    An answer or a request for hearing shall not stay the immediate 
effectiveness of this order.

    Dated this 10th day of March 2006.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jack R. Strosnider,
Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.

Attachment A--Service List of Materials Licensees (Redacted)

Attachment B--Modified Handling Requirements for the Protection of 
Certain Safeguards Information (SGI-M)

General Requirement

    Information and material that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission (NRC) determines are Safeguards Information must be 
protected from unauthorized disclosure. In order to distinguish 
information needing modified protection requirements from the 
Safeguards Information for reactors and fuel cycle facilities that 
require a higher level of protection, the term ``Safeguards Information 
Modified Handling'' (SGI-M) is being used as the distinguishing marking 
for certain materials licensees. Each person who produces, receives, or 
acquires SGI-M shall ensure that it is protected against unauthorized 
disclosure. To meet this requirement, licensees and persons shall 
establish and maintain an information protection system that includes 
the measures specified below. Information protection procedures 
employed by state and local police forces are deemed to meet these 
requirements.

Persons Subject to These Requirements

    Any person, whether or not a licensee of the NRC, who produces, 
receives, or acquires SGI-M is subject to the requirements (and 
sanctions) of this document. Firms and their employees that supply 
services or equipment to materials licensees would fall under this 
requirement, if they possess facility SGI-M. A licensee must inform 
contractors and suppliers of the existence of these requirements and 
the need for proper protection (See more under Conditions for Access).
    State or local police units who have access to SGI-M are also 
subject to these requirements. However, these organizations are deemed 
to have adequate information protection systems. The conditions for 
transfer of information to a third party, (i.e., need-to-know) would 
still apply to the police organization, as would sanctions for unlawful 
disclosure. Again, it would be prudent for licensees who have 
arrangements with local police to advise them of the existence of these 
requirements.

Criminal and Civil Sanctions

    The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, explicitly provides that 
any person, ``whether or not a licensee of the Commission, who violates 
any regulations adopted under this section shall be subject to the 
civil monetary penalties of section 234 of this Act.'' Furthermore, 
willful violation of any regulation or order governing Safeguards 
Information is a felony subject to criminal penalties in the form of 
fines or imprisonment, or both. See sections 147b. and 223 of the Act.

Conditions for Access

    Access to SGI-M beyond the initial recipients of the order will be 
governed by the background check requirements imposed by the order. 
Access to SGI-M by licensee employees, agents, or contractors must 
include both an appropriate need-to-know determination by the licensee, 
as well as a determination concerning the trustworthiness of 
individuals having

[[Page 14963]]

access to the information. Employees of an organization affiliated with 
the licensee's company, e.g., a parent company, may be considered as 
employees of the licensee for access purposes.

Need-to-Know

    Need-to-know is defined as a determination by a person having 
responsibility for protecting SGI-M that a proposed recipient's access 
to SGI-M is necessary in the performance of official, contractual, or 
licensee duties of employment. The recipient should be made aware that 
the information is SGI-M and those having access to it are subject to 
these requirements as well as criminal and civil sanctions for 
mishandling the information.

Occupational Groups

    Dissemination of SGI-M is limited to individuals who have an 
established need-to-know and who are members of certain occupational 
groups. These occupational groups are:
    A. An employee, agent, or contractor of an applicant, a licensee, 
the Commission, or the United States Government;
    B. A member of a duly authorized committee of the Congress;
    C. The Governor of a State or his designated representative;
    D. A representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency 
(IAEA) engaged in activities associated with the U.S./IAEA Safeguards 
Agreement who has been certified by the NRC;
    E. A member of a state or local law enforcement authority that is 
responsible for responding to requests for assistance during safeguards 
emergencies;
    F. A person to whom disclosure is ordered pursuant to Section 
2.744(e) of Part 2 of part 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations; or
    G. State Radiation Control Program Directors (and State Homeland 
Security Directors) or their designees. In a generic sense, the 
individuals described above in (A) through (G) are considered to be 
trustworthy by virtue of their employment status. For non-governmental 
individuals in group (A) above, a determination of reliability and 
trustworthiness is required. Discretion must be exercised in granting 
access to these individuals. If there is any indication that the 
recipient would be unwilling or unable to provide proper protection for 
the SGI-M, they are not authorized to receive SGI-M.

Information Considered for Safeguards Information Designation

    Information deemed SGI-M is information the disclosure of which 
could reasonably be expected to have a significant adverse effect on 
the health and safety of the public or the common defense and security 
by significantly increasing the likelihood of theft, diversion, or 
sabotage of materials or facilities subject to NRC jurisdiction.
    SGI-M identifies Safeguards Information which is subject to these 
requirements. These requirements are necessary in order to protect 
quantities of nuclear material significant to the health and safety of 
the public or common defense and security.
    The overall measure for consideration of SGI-M is the usefulness of 
the information (security or otherwise) to an adversary in planning or 
attempting a malevolent act. The specificity of the information 
increases the likelihood that it will be useful to an adversary.

Protection While in Use

    While in use, SGI-M shall be under the control of an authorized 
individual. This requirement is satisfied if the SGI-M is attended by 
an authorized individual even though the information is in fact not 
constantly being used. SGI-M, therefore, within alarm stations, 
continuously manned guard posts or ready rooms need not be locked in 
file drawers or storage containers.
    Under certain conditions the general control exercised over 
security zones or areas would be considered to meet this requirement. 
The primary consideration is limiting access to those who have a need-
to-know. Some examples would be:
    Alarm stations, guard posts and guard ready rooms;
    Engineering or drafting areas if visitors are escorted and 
information is not clearly visible;
    Plant maintenance areas if access is restricted and information is 
not clearly visible; and
    Administrative offices (e.g., central records or purchasing) if 
visitors are escorted and information is not clearly visible.

Protection While in Storage

    While unattended, SGI-M shall be stored in a locked file drawer or 
container. Knowledge of lock combinations or access to keys protecting 
SGI-M shall be limited to a minimum number of personnel for operating 
purposes who have a ``need-to-know'' and are otherwise authorized 
access to SGI-M in accordance with these requirements. Access to lock 
combinations or keys shall be strictly controlled so as to prevent 
disclosure to an unauthorized individual.

Transportation of Documents and Other Matter

    Documents containing SGI-M when transmitted outside an authorized 
place of use or storage shall be enclosed in two sealed envelopes or 
wrappers. The inner envelope or wrapper shall contain the name and 
address of the intended recipient, and be marked both sides, top and 
bottom with the words ``Safeguards Information--Modified Handling.'' 
The outer envelope or wrapper must be addressed to the intended 
recipient, must contain the address of the sender, and must not bear 
any markings or indication that the document contains SGI-M.
    SGI-M may be transported by any commercial delivery company that 
provides nation-wide overnight service with computer tracking features, 
U.S. first class, registered, express, or certified mail, or by any 
individual authorized access pursuant to these requirements.
    Within a facility, SGI-M may be transmitted using a single opaque 
envelope. It may also be transmitted within a facility without single 
or double wrapping, provided adequate measures are taken to protect the 
material against unauthorized disclosure. Individuals transporting SGI-
M should retain the documents in their personal possession at all times 
or ensure that the information is appropriately wrapped and also 
secured to preclude compromise by an unauthorized individual.

Preparation and Marking of Documents

    While the NRC is the sole authority for determining what specific 
information may be designated as ``SGI-M,'' originators of documents 
are responsible for determining whether those documents contain such 
information. Each document or other matter that contains SGI-M shall be 
marked ``Safeguards Information--Modified Handling'' in a conspicuous 
manner on the top and bottom of the first page to indicate the presence 
of protected information. The first page of the document must also 
contain (i) the name, title, and organization of the individual 
authorized to make a SGI-M determination, and who has determined that 
the document contains SGI-M, (ii) the date the document was originated 
or the determination made, (iii) an indication that the document 
contains SGI-M, and (iv) an indication that unauthorized disclosure 
would be subject to civil and criminal sanctions.

[[Page 14964]]

Each additional page shall be marked in a conspicuous fashion at the 
top and bottom with letters denoting ``Safeguards Information--Modified 
Handling.''
    In additional to the ``Safeguards Information--Modified Handling'' 
markings at the top and bottom of page, transmittal letters or 
memoranda which do not in themselves contain SGI-M shall be marked to 
indicate that attachments or enclosures contain SGI-M but that the 
transmittal does not (e.g., ``When separated from SGI-M enclosure(s), 
this document is decontrolled'').
    In addition to the information required on the face of the 
document, each item of correspondence that contains SGI-M shall, by 
marking or other means, clearly indicate which portions (e.g., 
paragraphs, pages, or appendices) contain SGI-M and which do not. 
Portion marking is not required for physical security and safeguards 
contingency plans.
    All documents or other matter containing SGI-M in use or storage 
shall be marked in accordance with these requirements. A specific 
exception is provided for documents in the possession of contractors 
and agents of licensees that were produced more than one year prior to 
the effective date of the order. Such documents need not be marked 
unless they are removed from file drawers or containers. The same 
exception applies to old documents stored away from the facility in 
central files or corporation headquarters.
    Since information protection procedures employed by state and local 
police forces are deemed to meet NRC requirements, documents in the 
possession of these agencies need not be marked as set forth in this 
document.

Removal From SGI-M Category

    Documents containing SGI-M shall be removed from the SGI-M category 
(decontrolled) only after the NRC determines that the information no 
longer meets the criteria of SGI-M. Licensees have the authority to 
make determinations that specific documents which they created no 
longer contain SGI-M information and may be decontrolled. Consideration 
must be exercised to ensure that any document decontrolled shall not 
disclose SGI-M in some other form or be combined with other unprotected 
information to disclose SGI-M.
    The authority to determine that a document may be decontrolled may 
be exercised only by, or with the permission of, the individual (or 
office) who made the original determination. The document shall 
indicate the name and organization of the individual removing the 
document from the SGI-M category and the date of the removal. Other 
persons who have the document in their possession should be notified of 
the decontrolling of the document.

Reproduction of Matter Containing SGI-M

    SGI-M may be reproduced to the minimum extent necessary consistent 
with need without permission of the originator. Newer digital copiers 
which scan and retain images of documents represent a potential 
security concern. If the copier is retaining SGI-M information in 
memory, the copier cannot be connected to a network. It should also be 
placed in a location that is cleared and controlled for the authorized 
processing of SGI-M information. Different copiers have different 
capabilities, including some which come with features that allow the 
memory to be erased. Each copier would have to be examined from a 
physical security perspective.

Use of Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Systems

    SGI-M may be processed or produced on an ADP system provided that 
the system is assigned to the licensee's or contractor's facility and 
requires the use of an entry code/password for access to stored 
information. Licensees are encouraged to process this information in a 
computing environment that has adequate computer security controls in 
place to prevent unauthorized access to the information. An ADP system 
is defined here as a data processing system having the capability of 
long term storage of SGI-M. Word processors such as typewriters are not 
subject to the requirements as long as they do not transmit information 
off-site. (Note: if SGI-M is produced on a typewriter, the ribbon must 
be removed and stored in the same manner as other SGI-M information or 
media.) The basic objective of these restrictions is to prevent access 
and retrieval of stored SGI-M by unauthorized individuals, particularly 
from remote terminals. Specific files containing SGI-M will be password 
protected to preclude access by an unauthorized individual. The 
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) maintains a 
listing of all validated encryption systems at https://csrc.nist.gov/
cryptval/140-1/1401val.htm. SGI-M files may be transmitted over a 
network if the file is encrypted. In such cases, the licensee will 
select a commercially available encryption system that NIST has 
validated as conforming to Federal Information Processing Standards 
(FIPS). SGI-M files shall be properly labeled as ``Safeguards 
Information-Modified Handling'' and saved to removable media and stored 
in a locked file drawer or cabinet.

Telecommunications

    SGI-M may not be transmitted by unprotected telecommunications 
circuits except under emergency or extraordinary conditions. For the 
purpose of this requirement, emergency or extraordinary conditions are 
defined as any circumstances that require immediate communications in 
order to report, summon assistance for, or respond to a security event 
(or an event that has potential security significance).
    This restriction applies to telephone, telegraph, teletype, 
facsimile circuits, and to radio. Routine telephone or radio 
transmission between site security personnel, or between the site and 
local police, should be limited to message formats or codes that do not 
disclose facility security features or response procedures. Similarly, 
call-ins during transport should not disclose information useful to a 
potential adversary. Infrequent or non-repetitive telephone 
conversations regarding a physical security plan or program are 
permitted provided that the discussion is general in nature.
    Individuals should use care when discussing SGI-M at meetings or in 
the presence of others to insure that the conversation is not overheard 
by persons not authorized access. Transcripts, tapes or minutes of 
meetings or hearings that contain SGI-M shall be marked and protected 
in accordance with these requirements.

Destruction

    Documents containing SGI-M should be destroyed when no longer 
needed. They may be destroyed by tearing into small pieces, burning, 
shredding or any other method that precludes reconstruction by means 
available to the public at large. Piece sizes one half inch or smaller 
composed of several pages or documents and thoroughly mixed would be 
considered completely destroyed.
    Standards (FIPS). SGI-M files shall be properly labeled as 
``Safeguards Information-Modified Handling'' and saved to removable 
media and stored in a locked file drawer or cabinet.

Attachment C--Designation Guide for Safeguards Information

[FR Doc. E6-4281 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P