Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Proposed Exemption of Waste Shipments From Certain Requirements, 31223-31226 [E6-8448]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 105 / Thursday, June 1, 2006 / Notices
contacting Ms. Jana Schultz via e-mail at
jana.t.schultz@nasa.gov or by telephone
at (281) 244–7913 by June 16, 2006.
Foreign nationals that wish to attend
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escorts for admittance on to Johnson
Space Center.
Members of the public may make five
minute verbal presentations to the Task
Force on the subject of International
Space Station safety. All those wishing
to make such a statement in front of the
Task Force are requested to contact Ms.
Jana Schultz via e-mail at
jana.t.schultz@nasa.gov or by telephone
at (281) 244–7913 by June 16, 2006,
prior to the first day of the meeting. If
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It is imperative that the meeting be
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scheduling priorities of the key
participants.
P. Diane Rausch,
Advisory Committee Management Officer,
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
[FR Doc. E6–8426 Filed 5–31–06; 8:45 am]
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[Docket No. 030–36574]
Notice of License Termination and
Release of Building 7304 (Vault)
Property in Fort Belvoir, VA, for
Unrestricted Release
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC).
ACTION: Notice of License Termination
and Site Release for Unrestricted Use.
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
Tom
McLaughlin, Materials
Decommissioning Section, Division of
Waste Management and Environmental
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19:10 May 31, 2006
Jkt 208001
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
Pursuant to 10 CFR 2.106, the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) is
providing notice that it is terminating
license 19–10306–02 for the U.S.
Department of the Army, (Army or
licensee), and releasing the Building
7304 (Vault) property in Fort Belvoir,
Virginia, for unrestricted use. The
Army’s request for an amendment to
authorize decommissioning of its former
radioactive waste storage facility in Fort
Belvoir, Virginia, was previously
noticed in the Federal Register on
December 28, 2004 (69 FR 77779), with
a notice of an opportunity to request a
hearing.
The Army provided a final
radiological status survey to
demonstrate the site meets the license
termination criteria in subpart E of 10
CFR part 20. In addition, NRC staff
conducted independent in-process
measurements of residual
contamination remaining at the site.
The NRC staff has evaluated the
Army’s request, has reviewed the results
of the final radiological survey, has
performed in-process confirmatory
measurements throughout the site
property, and has determined that the
site cleanup meets the unrestricted
release dose criteria in 10 CFR 20.1402.
The Commission has concluded that the
site is suitable for release for
unrestricted use, and has terminated the
license for the Fort Belvoir, Virginia
property. The staff prepared a Safety
Evaluation Report (SER) to support the
proposed action.
II. Further Information
BILLING CODE 7510–13–P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Protection, NRC, Washington, DC
20555; telephone (301) 415–5869; fax
(301) 415–5397; or e-mail at
tgm@nrc.gov.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of
the NRC’s ‘‘Rules of Practice,’’ details
with respect to this action, including the
SER, are available electronically at the
NRC’s Electronic Reading Room at
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
adams.html. From this site, you can
access the NRC’s Agency-wide
Document Access and Management
System (ADAMS), which provides text
and image files of NRC’s public
documents. The ADAMS accession
number for the document ‘‘License
Termination Letter and Safety
Evaluation Report’’ is ADAMS No.
ML061090356. If you do not have access
to ADAMS or if there are problems in
accessing a document located in
ADAMS, contact the NRC Public
Document Room (PDR) Reference staff
PO 00000
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31223
at 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or
by e-mail to pdr@nrc.gov.
These documents may also be viewed
electronically on the public computers
located at the NRC’s PDR, O–1F21, One
White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. The PDR
reproduction contractor will copy
documents for a fee.
Dated at NRC, Rockville, Maryland, this
24th day of May, 2006.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Daniel M. Gillen,
Deputy Director, Decommissioning
Directorate, Division of Waste Management
and Environmental Protection, Office of
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. E6–8449 Filed 5–31–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[Docket No. 70–143]
Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc.,
Environmental Assessment and
Finding of No Significant Impact for
Proposed Exemption of Waste
Shipments From Certain Requirements
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
AGENCY:
Environmental Assessment and
Finding of No Significant Impact.
ACTION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kevin M. Ramsey, Project Manager, Fuel
Cycle Facilities Branch, Division of Fuel
Cycle Safety and Safeguards, Office of
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards,
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Mail Stop T–8F42, Rockville, MD
20555–0001, Telephone (301) 415–7887;
fax (301) 415–5955; e-mail kmr@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) staff is considering the issuance
of a license amendment to Materials
License SNM–124, to Nuclear Fuel
Services, Inc. (NFS) (the licensee), to
exempt it from certain safety
requirements when shipping low-level
radioactive waste. The NRC has
prepared an Environmental Assessment
(EA) in support of this amendment in
accordance with the requirements of 10
CFR part 51. Based on the EA, the NRC
has concluded that a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) is
appropriate and, therefore, an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
will not be prepared.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 105 / Thursday, June 1, 2006 / Notices
II. Environmental Assessment
Background
The NFS facility in Erwin, Tennessee
is authorized, under License SNM–124
to manufacture high-enriched nuclear
reactor fuel. In addition, NFS is
authorized to blend highly enriched
uranium (HEU) with natural uranium
and manufacture low-enriched nuclear
reactor fuel. These activities generate
low-level radioactive waste
contaminated with small amounts of
enriched uranium. In addition, ongoing
decommissioning activities generate
large quantities of soil and debris
contaminated with enriched uranium.
Regulations in 10 CFR define enriched
uranium as special nuclear material
(SNM) and specify safety requirements
when SNM is shipped. On June 20,
2005, NFS requested an exemption from
certain safety requirements when the
SNM is shipped as contamination on
radioactive waste (Ref. 5). On December
16, 2005, and March 24, 2006, NFS
provided additional information to
support its request (Ref. 6 and 7).
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Review Scope
The purpose of this EA is to assess the
environmental impacts of the proposed
license amendment. It does not approve
the request. This EA is limited to the
proposed exemption and any
cumulative impacts on existing plant
operations. The existing conditions and
operations for the Erwin facility were
evaluated by the NRC for environmental
impacts in a 1999 EA related to the
renewal of the NFS license (Ref. 1) and
a 2002 EA related to the first
amendment for the Blended LowEnriched Uranium (BLEU) Project (Ref.
2). The 2002 EA assessed the impact of
the entire BLEU Project, using
information available at that time. A
2003 EA (Ref. 3) and a 2004 EA (Ref. 4),
related to additional BLEU Project
amendments, confirmed the FONSI
issued in 2002. The present EA sets
forth information and analysis for
determining that the issuance of a
FONSI is appropriate, and that an EIS
will not be prepared in connection with
the exemption request now being
considered.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to amend NRC
Materials License SNM–124 to exempt
shipments of low-level radioactive
waste contaminated with SNM from
certain safety measures normally
required for such shipments. The
exemption would authorize less
stringent measures. The proposed action
is limited to safety measures for waste
shipments only. No change to
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processing, packaging, or storage
operations is requested, and no
construction of new facilities is
requested.
Need for Proposed Action
The proposed action is being
requested because NFS has generated a
large quantity of low-level radioactive
waste from decommissioning activities
and normal operations. This waste
contains SNM which is not readily
separable from the waste and is
uneconomical for further uranium
recovery processing. When waste
packages meeting disposal site
requirements are grouped together for a
shipment, the total quantity of SNM can
exceed the threshold requiring more
stringent safety measures. To avoid the
need for more stingent measures, NFS is
making waste shipments with smaller
quantities of SNM. This results in
shipments that are not fully loaded and
requires additional shipments to
dispose of the waste. NFS believes that
the more stringent measures are
inappropriate for waste bearing
incidental SNM in the form of
contamination.
Alternatives
The alternatives available to NRC are:
1. Approve the license amendment as
described; or
2. No action (i.e., deny the request).
Affected Environment
The affected environment for the
proposed action is the vicinity of the
vehicle used to transport the waste to a
disposal facility.
The affected environment for the no
action alternative is the NFS site. The
NFS facility is located in Unicoi County,
Tennessee, about 32 km (20 mi)
southwest of Johnson City, Tennessee.
The facility is about 0.8 km (0.5 mi)
southwest of the Erwin city limits. The
affected environment is identical to the
affected environment assessed in the
2002 EA related to the first amendment
for the BLEU Project (Ref. 2). A full
description of the site and its
characteristics is given in the 2002 EA.
Additional information can be found in
the 1999 EA related to the renewal of
the NFS license (Ref. 1). The site
occupies about 28 hectares (70 acres).
The site is bounded to the northwest by
the CSX Corporation (CSX) railroad
property and the Nolichucky River, and
by Martin Creek to the northeast. The
plant elevation is about 9 m (30 ft)
above the nearest point on the
Nolichucky River.
The area adjacent to the site consists
primarily of residential, industrial, and
commercial areas, with a limited
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amount of farming to the northwest.
Privately owned residences are located
to the east and south of the facility.
Tract size is relatively large, leading to
a low housing density in the areas
adjacent to the facility. The CSX
railroad right-of-way is parallel to the
western boundary of the site. Industrial
development is located adjacent to the
railroad on the opposite side of the
right-of-way. The site is bounded by
Martin Creek to the north, with
privately owned, vacant property and
low-density residences.
Environmental Impacts of Proposed
Action and Alternatives
1. Occupational and Public Health
Proposed Action
The risk to human health from the
transportation of all radioactive material
in the U.S. was evaluated in the Final
Environmental Impact Statement on the
Transportation of Radioactive Material
by Air and Other Modes (Ref. 8). The
principal radiological environmental
impact during normal transportation is
direct radiation exposure to nearby
persons from radioactive material in the
package. The average annual individual
dose from all radioactive material
transportation in the U.S. was
calculated to be approximately 0.5
mrem, well below the 10 CFR part 20
requirement of 100 mrem for a member
of the public. The proposed action
would result in fewer shipments. Fewer
shipments would expose fewer
members of the public to radiation,
reduce nonradiological truck emissions,
and reduce the risk of injuries from
traffic accidents. However, the
reductions would be so small that the
differences would be negligible.
Occupational health was also
considered in the Final Environmental
Impact Statement on the Transportation
of Radioactive Material by Air and
Other Modes (Ref. 8). The average
annual occupational dose to the
driver(s) is estimated to be 8.7 mSv (870
mrem), which is below the 10 CFR Part
20 requirement of 50 mSv (5000 mrem).
The Department of Transportation
(DOT) regulations in 49 CFR 177.842(g)
require that the radiation dose rate may
not exceed 0.02 mSv (2 mrem) per hour
in any position normally occupied in a
motor vehicle. The proposed action
would not cause dose rates to the driver
exceeding the DOT limit.
The NRC staff is evaluating the
possibility of an incident due to
transportation of this material. Incidents
involving SNM were considered in the
Final Environmental Impact Statement
on the Transportation of Radioactive
Material by Air and Other Modes (Ref.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 105 / Thursday, June 1, 2006 / Notices
8). The NRC staff concluded that the
risks of an incident in transit, resulting
in a significant release, were sufficiently
small to constitute no significant
adverse impact on the environment. The
staff will approve the proposed
amendment only if it concludes that the
safety measures are adequate to protect
public health and safety, and the
environment, based on the statements
and representations in the application.
A detailed discussion of this evaluation
will be provided in the Safety
Evaluation Report for the amendment if
it is approved.
Under the proposed action, the doses
to the public and to the workers are not
increased beyond those considered in
the Final Environmental Impact
Statement on the Transportation of
Radioactive Material by Air and Other
Modes (Ref. 8). Therefore, shipment of
these materials as proposed would be
consistent with the previous assessment
of environmental impacts and the
conclusions reached.
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No Action
Denying this amendment request
would not result in any significant
difference in the risk to the public
health from radiological materials. If
this amendment request is denied, the
licensee would be required to ship the
contaminated waste more frequently in
smaller quantities. The larger number of
shipments is also consistent with the
assessment of environmental impacts,
and the conclusions in the Final
Environmental Impact Statement on the
Transportation of Radioactive Material
by Air and Other Modes (Ref. 8). As
noted above, the level of
nonradiological truck emissions and the
risk of injuries from traffic accidents
would be higher, but the differences
would be negligible.
The occupational health impacts
would not change significantly as a
result of denial of this amendment
request. Occupational doses at the
facility may be slightly higher as a result
of the larger number of shipments that
workers must prepare, however, the
facility will continue to implement
NRC-approved radiation safety
procedures for handling radioactive
materials. Thus, the dose to workers
under the ‘‘no action’’ alternative will
remain within acceptable regulatory
limits.
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2. Effluent Releases, Environmental
Monitoring, Water Resources, Geology,
Soils, Air Quality, Demography, Biota,
Cultural and Historic Resources
Proposed Action
The NRC staff has determined that the
approval of the proposed amendment
will not impact effluent releases,
environmental monitoring, water
resources, geology, soils, air quality,
demography, biota, or cultural or
historic resources under normal
transport conditions.
No Action
The NRC staff has determined that
denial of the proposed amendment will
not impact effluent releases,
environmental monitoring, water
resources, geology, soils, air quality,
demography, biota, or cultural or
historic resources at or near the NFS
site.
Conclusion
Based on its review, the NRC has
concluded that the environmental
impacts associated with the proposed
action are not significant and, therefore,
do not warrant denial of the proposed
license amendment. Based on an
evaluation of the environmental impacts
of the proposed license amendment, the
NRC has determined that the proper
action is to issue a FONSI.
Agencies and Persons Contacted
On January 11, 2005, the NRC staff
contacted the Deputy Director of the
Division of Radiological Health in the
Tennessee Department of Environment
and Conservation (TDEC) concerning
this EA. On February 2, 2006, the
Deputy Director responded that TDEC
reviewed the draft EA and had no
comments (Ref. 9).
The NRC staff has determined that the
proposed action will not affect listed
species or critical habitat. Therefore, no
consultation is required under Section 7
of the Endangered Species Act.
Likewise, the NRC staff has determined
that the proposed action is not the type
of activity that has the potential to cause
effects on historic properties. Therefore,
no consultation is required under
Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act.
References
1. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, ‘‘Environmental
Assessment for Renewal of Special
Nuclear Material License No. SNM–
124,’’ January 1999, ADAMS No.
ML031150418.
2. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, ‘‘Environmental
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31225
Assessment for Proposed License
Amendments to Special Nuclear
Material License No. SNM–124
Regarding Downblending and Oxide
Conversion of Surplus High-Enriched
Uranium,’’ June 2002, ADAMS No.
ML021790068.
3. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, ‘‘Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for the BLEU
Preparation Facility,’’ September 2003,
ADAMS No. ML032390428.
4. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, ‘‘Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for the Oxide
Conversion Building and the Effluent
Processing Building at the BLEU
Complex,’’ June 2004, ADAMS No.
ML041470176.
5. Nuclear Fuel Services, ‘‘Request for
Exemption,’’ June 20, 2005, ADAMS No.
ML051810254.
6. Nuclear Fuel Services, ‘‘Response
to Request for Additional Information
Concerning Request for Exemption of
Low-Level Waste from Definitions in 10
CFR 73,’’ December 16, 2005, ADAMS
No. ML053610013.
7. Nuclear Fuel Services, ‘‘Response
to Second Request for Additional
Information Concerning Request for
Exemption of Low-Level Waste from
Definitions in 10 CFR 73,’’ March 24,
2006, ADAMS No. ML061090569.
8. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, NUREG–0170, ‘‘Final
Environmental Impact Statement on the
Transportation of Radioactive Material
by Air and Other Modes,’’ December
1977, ADAMS No. ML022590355.
9. D. Shults, Tennessee Division of
Radiological Health, e-mail to K.
Ramsey, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, ‘‘EA for NFS Exemption,’’
February 2, 2006, ADAMS No.
ML060370160.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
Pursuant to 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC
staff has considered the environmental
consequences of amending NRC
Materials License SNM–124 to exempt
shipments of low-level radioactive
waste contaminated with SNM from
certain safety requirements. On the basis
of this EA, the NRC has concluded that
there are no significant environmental
impacts associated with the proposed
amendment and has determined not to
prepare an EIS for the proposed
amendment.
IV. Further Information
The documents referenced in this
notice contain sensitive information,
and may be made available only upon
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 105 / Thursday, June 1, 2006 / Notices
a showing that applicable security
requirements have been met.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day
of May 2006.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Gary S. Janosko,
Chief, Fuel Cycle Facilities Branch, Division
of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, Office
of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. E6–8448 Filed 5–31–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT
[OMB No. 3206–0005]
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request for Revised
Information Collections
Office of Personnel
Management.
ACTION: Notice.
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AGENCY:
Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive
Positions, Standard Form 85 (SF 85);
Questionnaire for Public Trust
Positions, Standard Form 85P (SF 85P);
Supplemental
Questionnaire for Selected Positions,
Standard Form 85PS (SF 85PS);
Questionnaire for National Security
Positions, Standard Form 86 (SF 86);
Continuation Sheet for Questionnaires
Sf 85, 85p, and 86, Standard Form 86A
(SF 86A); and Certification Statement
for SF 86 (SF 86C).
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.
L. 104–13), this notice announces that
the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget a request for
clearance of these information
collections:
• Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive
Positions, Standard Form 85 (SF 85);
• Questionnaire for Public Trust
Positions, Standard Form 85P (SF 85P);
• Supplemental Questionnaire for
Selected Positions, Standard Form 85PS
(SF 85PS);
• Questionnaire for National Security
Positions, Standard Form 86 (SF 86);
• Continuation Sheet for
Questionnaires SF 85, 85P, and 86,
Standard Form 86A (SF 86A);
• Certification Statement for SF 86,
Standard Form SF 86C (SF 86C); and
• Parallel, electronic versions of the
SF 85, SF 85P, SF 85PS, and SF 86,
including accompanying releases,
housed in a system named e-QIP
(Electronic Questionnaires for
Investigations Processing).
These information collections are
completed by respondents for, or
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19:10 May 31, 2006
Jkt 208001
incumbents of, Government positions or
positions for the Government under
contract, or by military personnel. The
collections are used as the basis for
background investigations to establish
that such persons are:
• Suitable for employment or
retention in the position;
• Suitable for employment or
retention in a public trust position;
• Suitable for employment or
retention in a national security position;
and
• Eligible for access to classified
national security information.
The SF 86A may be used in lieu of
blank paper as a continuation of the
form with which its use is associated
and not for any unique purpose
exclusive from the associated form. The
SF 86C is used in lieu of completing a
new SF 86 and will allow the individual
to indicate that there have been no
changes in the data provided on the
most recently filed SF 86 or it will allow
the individual to easily provide new or
changed information. No investigation
will be initiated based solely on the
execution of this form.
The SF 85, SF 85P, SF 85PS, SF 86,
SF 86A, and SF 86C are completed by
both employees of the Federal
Government and individuals not
employed with the Federal Government,
including Federal contractors and
military personnel.
Federal employees are defined as
those individuals who are employed as
civilian or military personnel with the
Federal Government. Non-Federal
employees include members of the
general public and all individuals
employed as Federal and military
contractors, or individuals otherwise
not directly employed by the Federal
Government.
It is estimated that 89,400 non-Federal
individuals will complete the SF 85
annually. Each form takes
approximately 60 minutes to complete.
The estimated annual public burden is
89,400 hours.
It is estimated that 62,000 non-Federal
individuals will complete the SF 85P
annually. Each form takes
approximately 60 minutes to complete.
The estimated annual burden is 62,000
hours.
It is estimated that 3,600 non-Federal
individuals will complete the SF 85PS
annually. Each form takes
approximately 20 minutes to complete.
The estimated annual burden is 1,200
hours.
It is estimated that 104,000 nonFederal individuals will complete the
SF 86 annually. Each form takes
approximately 120 minutes to complete.
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The estimated annual burden is 208,000
hours.
It is estimated that 16,000 non-Federal
individuals will complete the SF 86A
annually. Each form takes
approximately 20 minutes to complete.
The estimated annual burden is 5,300
hours.
It is estimated that 1,200 non-Federal
individuals will complete the SF 86C
annually. Each form takes
approximately 15 minutes to complete.
The estimated annual burden is 300
hours.
e-QIP (Electronic Questionnaires for
Investigations Processing) is a Webbased system application that houses
electronic versions of the SF 85, SF 85P,
SF 85PS, and SF 86. This Internet data
collection tool is used in place of—not
in addition to—the paper versions of
these forms. Individuals using the e-QIP
versions will enjoy the convenience of
faster processing time and immediate
data validation to ensure accuracy of
their personal information. The data
requested on these forms is consistent
with that requested on their paper
counterparts.
Users (individuals with e-QIP
accounts) of this system are
respondents, agency users, and e-QIP
administrators. The system is designed
to automate the data collection process,
apply all required data editing rules to
the respondent-supplied information,
enforce data integrity, and to provide
sponsoring agencies an automated
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releasing the data to an investigative
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The data contained in e-QIP is
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prescribes the restrictions on the use
and proper handling of this information,
and provides penalties for unauthorized
disclosure. The type of information
collected includes, but is not limited to:
Personal identifiers, including name,
social security number, and date and
place of birth; employment, residence,
and education history; references;
medical history; financial history;
arrests and convictions; and other
personal information of a sensitive
nature.
A respondent’s complete and certified
investigative data will remain secured
in the e-QIP system until the next time
the respondent is sponsored by an
agency to complete a new investigative
form. Upon initiation, the respondent’s
previously entered data (except ‘yes/no’
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31223-31226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8448]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 70-143]
Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., Environmental Assessment and Finding
of No Significant Impact for Proposed Exemption of Waste Shipments From
Certain Requirements
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin M. Ramsey, Project Manager, Fuel
Cycle Facilities Branch, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards,
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Mail Stop T-8F42, Rockville, MD 20555-0001,
Telephone (301) 415-7887; fax (301) 415-5955; e-mail kmr@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is considering the
issuance of a license amendment to Materials License SNM-124, to
Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (NFS) (the licensee), to exempt it from
certain safety requirements when shipping low-level radioactive waste.
The NRC has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) in support of
this amendment in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR part 51.
Based on the EA, the NRC has concluded that a Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI) is appropriate and, therefore, an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) will not be prepared.
[[Page 31224]]
II. Environmental Assessment
Background
The NFS facility in Erwin, Tennessee is authorized, under License
SNM-124 to manufacture high-enriched nuclear reactor fuel. In addition,
NFS is authorized to blend highly enriched uranium (HEU) with natural
uranium and manufacture low-enriched nuclear reactor fuel. These
activities generate low-level radioactive waste contaminated with small
amounts of enriched uranium. In addition, ongoing decommissioning
activities generate large quantities of soil and debris contaminated
with enriched uranium. Regulations in 10 CFR define enriched uranium as
special nuclear material (SNM) and specify safety requirements when SNM
is shipped. On June 20, 2005, NFS requested an exemption from certain
safety requirements when the SNM is shipped as contamination on
radioactive waste (Ref. 5). On December 16, 2005, and March 24, 2006,
NFS provided additional information to support its request (Ref. 6 and
7).
Review Scope
The purpose of this EA is to assess the environmental impacts of
the proposed license amendment. It does not approve the request. This
EA is limited to the proposed exemption and any cumulative impacts on
existing plant operations. The existing conditions and operations for
the Erwin facility were evaluated by the NRC for environmental impacts
in a 1999 EA related to the renewal of the NFS license (Ref. 1) and a
2002 EA related to the first amendment for the Blended Low-Enriched
Uranium (BLEU) Project (Ref. 2). The 2002 EA assessed the impact of the
entire BLEU Project, using information available at that time. A 2003
EA (Ref. 3) and a 2004 EA (Ref. 4), related to additional BLEU Project
amendments, confirmed the FONSI issued in 2002. The present EA sets
forth information and analysis for determining that the issuance of a
FONSI is appropriate, and that an EIS will not be prepared in
connection with the exemption request now being considered.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to amend NRC Materials License SNM-124 to
exempt shipments of low-level radioactive waste contaminated with SNM
from certain safety measures normally required for such shipments. The
exemption would authorize less stringent measures. The proposed action
is limited to safety measures for waste shipments only. No change to
processing, packaging, or storage operations is requested, and no
construction of new facilities is requested.
Need for Proposed Action
The proposed action is being requested because NFS has generated a
large quantity of low-level radioactive waste from decommissioning
activities and normal operations. This waste contains SNM which is not
readily separable from the waste and is uneconomical for further
uranium recovery processing. When waste packages meeting disposal site
requirements are grouped together for a shipment, the total quantity of
SNM can exceed the threshold requiring more stringent safety measures.
To avoid the need for more stingent measures, NFS is making waste
shipments with smaller quantities of SNM. This results in shipments
that are not fully loaded and requires additional shipments to dispose
of the waste. NFS believes that the more stringent measures are
inappropriate for waste bearing incidental SNM in the form of
contamination.
Alternatives
The alternatives available to NRC are:
1. Approve the license amendment as described; or
2. No action (i.e., deny the request).
Affected Environment
The affected environment for the proposed action is the vicinity of
the vehicle used to transport the waste to a disposal facility.
The affected environment for the no action alternative is the NFS
site. The NFS facility is located in Unicoi County, Tennessee, about 32
km (20 mi) southwest of Johnson City, Tennessee. The facility is about
0.8 km (0.5 mi) southwest of the Erwin city limits. The affected
environment is identical to the affected environment assessed in the
2002 EA related to the first amendment for the BLEU Project (Ref. 2). A
full description of the site and its characteristics is given in the
2002 EA. Additional information can be found in the 1999 EA related to
the renewal of the NFS license (Ref. 1). The site occupies about 28
hectares (70 acres). The site is bounded to the northwest by the CSX
Corporation (CSX) railroad property and the Nolichucky River, and by
Martin Creek to the northeast. The plant elevation is about 9 m (30 ft)
above the nearest point on the Nolichucky River.
The area adjacent to the site consists primarily of residential,
industrial, and commercial areas, with a limited amount of farming to
the northwest. Privately owned residences are located to the east and
south of the facility. Tract size is relatively large, leading to a low
housing density in the areas adjacent to the facility. The CSX railroad
right-of-way is parallel to the western boundary of the site.
Industrial development is located adjacent to the railroad on the
opposite side of the right-of-way. The site is bounded by Martin Creek
to the north, with privately owned, vacant property and low-density
residences.
Environmental Impacts of Proposed Action and Alternatives
1. Occupational and Public Health Proposed Action
The risk to human health from the transportation of all radioactive
material in the U.S. was evaluated in the Final Environmental Impact
Statement on the Transportation of Radioactive Material by Air and
Other Modes (Ref. 8). The principal radiological environmental impact
during normal transportation is direct radiation exposure to nearby
persons from radioactive material in the package. The average annual
individual dose from all radioactive material transportation in the
U.S. was calculated to be approximately 0.5 mrem, well below the 10 CFR
part 20 requirement of 100 mrem for a member of the public. The
proposed action would result in fewer shipments. Fewer shipments would
expose fewer members of the public to radiation, reduce nonradiological
truck emissions, and reduce the risk of injuries from traffic
accidents. However, the reductions would be so small that the
differences would be negligible.
Occupational health was also considered in the Final Environmental
Impact Statement on the Transportation of Radioactive Material by Air
and Other Modes (Ref. 8). The average annual occupational dose to the
driver(s) is estimated to be 8.7 mSv (870 mrem), which is below the 10
CFR Part 20 requirement of 50 mSv (5000 mrem). The Department of
Transportation (DOT) regulations in 49 CFR 177.842(g) require that the
radiation dose rate may not exceed 0.02 mSv (2 mrem) per hour in any
position normally occupied in a motor vehicle. The proposed action
would not cause dose rates to the driver exceeding the DOT limit.
The NRC staff is evaluating the possibility of an incident due to
transportation of this material. Incidents involving SNM were
considered in the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the
Transportation of Radioactive Material by Air and Other Modes (Ref.
[[Page 31225]]
8). The NRC staff concluded that the risks of an incident in transit,
resulting in a significant release, were sufficiently small to
constitute no significant adverse impact on the environment. The staff
will approve the proposed amendment only if it concludes that the
safety measures are adequate to protect public health and safety, and
the environment, based on the statements and representations in the
application. A detailed discussion of this evaluation will be provided
in the Safety Evaluation Report for the amendment if it is approved.
Under the proposed action, the doses to the public and to the
workers are not increased beyond those considered in the Final
Environmental Impact Statement on the Transportation of Radioactive
Material by Air and Other Modes (Ref. 8). Therefore, shipment of these
materials as proposed would be consistent with the previous assessment
of environmental impacts and the conclusions reached.
No Action
Denying this amendment request would not result in any significant
difference in the risk to the public health from radiological
materials. If this amendment request is denied, the licensee would be
required to ship the contaminated waste more frequently in smaller
quantities. The larger number of shipments is also consistent with the
assessment of environmental impacts, and the conclusions in the Final
Environmental Impact Statement on the Transportation of Radioactive
Material by Air and Other Modes (Ref. 8). As noted above, the level of
nonradiological truck emissions and the risk of injuries from traffic
accidents would be higher, but the differences would be negligible.
The occupational health impacts would not change significantly as a
result of denial of this amendment request. Occupational doses at the
facility may be slightly higher as a result of the larger number of
shipments that workers must prepare, however, the facility will
continue to implement NRC-approved radiation safety procedures for
handling radioactive materials. Thus, the dose to workers under the
``no action'' alternative will remain within acceptable regulatory
limits.
2. Effluent Releases, Environmental Monitoring, Water Resources,
Geology, Soils, Air Quality, Demography, Biota, Cultural and Historic
Resources
Proposed Action
The NRC staff has determined that the approval of the proposed
amendment will not impact effluent releases, environmental monitoring,
water resources, geology, soils, air quality, demography, biota, or
cultural or historic resources under normal transport conditions.
No Action
The NRC staff has determined that denial of the proposed amendment
will not impact effluent releases, environmental monitoring, water
resources, geology, soils, air quality, demography, biota, or cultural
or historic resources at or near the NFS site.
Conclusion
Based on its review, the NRC has concluded that the environmental
impacts associated with the proposed action are not significant and,
therefore, do not warrant denial of the proposed license amendment.
Based on an evaluation of the environmental impacts of the proposed
license amendment, the NRC has determined that the proper action is to
issue a FONSI.
Agencies and Persons Contacted
On January 11, 2005, the NRC staff contacted the Deputy Director of
the Division of Radiological Health in the Tennessee Department of
Environment and Conservation (TDEC) concerning this EA. On February 2,
2006, the Deputy Director responded that TDEC reviewed the draft EA and
had no comments (Ref. 9).
The NRC staff has determined that the proposed action will not
affect listed species or critical habitat. Therefore, no consultation
is required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Likewise,
the NRC staff has determined that the proposed action is not the type
of activity that has the potential to cause effects on historic
properties. Therefore, no consultation is required under Section 106 of
the National Historic Preservation Act.
References
1. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ``Environmental Assessment
for Renewal of Special Nuclear Material License No. SNM-124,'' January
1999, ADAMS No. ML031150418.
2. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ``Environmental Assessment
for Proposed License Amendments to Special Nuclear Material License No.
SNM-124 Regarding Downblending and Oxide Conversion of Surplus High-
Enriched Uranium,'' June 2002, ADAMS No. ML021790068.
3. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ``Environmental Assessment
and Finding of No Significant Impact for the BLEU Preparation
Facility,'' September 2003, ADAMS No. ML032390428.
4. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ``Environmental Assessment
and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Oxide Conversion Building
and the Effluent Processing Building at the BLEU Complex,'' June 2004,
ADAMS No. ML041470176.
5. Nuclear Fuel Services, ``Request for Exemption,'' June 20, 2005,
ADAMS No. ML051810254.
6. Nuclear Fuel Services, ``Response to Request for Additional
Information Concerning Request for Exemption of Low-Level Waste from
Definitions in 10 CFR 73,'' December 16, 2005, ADAMS No. ML053610013.
7. Nuclear Fuel Services, ``Response to Second Request for
Additional Information Concerning Request for Exemption of Low-Level
Waste from Definitions in 10 CFR 73,'' March 24, 2006, ADAMS No.
ML061090569.
8. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NUREG-0170, ``Final
Environmental Impact Statement on the Transportation of Radioactive
Material by Air and Other Modes,'' December 1977, ADAMS No.
ML022590355.
9. D. Shults, Tennessee Division of Radiological Health, e-mail to
K. Ramsey, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ``EA for NFS
Exemption,'' February 2, 2006, ADAMS No. ML060370160.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
Pursuant to 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC staff has considered the
environmental consequences of amending NRC Materials License SNM-124 to
exempt shipments of low-level radioactive waste contaminated with SNM
from certain safety requirements. On the basis of this EA, the NRC has
concluded that there are no significant environmental impacts
associated with the proposed amendment and has determined not to
prepare an EIS for the proposed amendment.
IV. Further Information
The documents referenced in this notice contain sensitive
information, and may be made available only upon
[[Page 31226]]
a showing that applicable security requirements have been met.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of May 2006.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Gary S. Janosko,
Chief, Fuel Cycle Facilities Branch, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and
Safeguards, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. E6-8448 Filed 5-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
