Draft Regulatory Guide: Issuance, Availability, 14501-14502 [E8-5400]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 53 / Tuesday, March 18, 2008 / Notices Makers in Production and Development Grants Program, submitted to the Division of Public Programs, at the January 23, 2008 deadline. 3. Date: April 7, 2008. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Room: 421. Program: This meeting will review applications for America’s Historical and Cultural Organizations in Planning and Implementation Grants Program, submitted to the Division of Public Programs, at the January 23, 2008 deadline. 4. Date: April 9, 2008. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Room: 421. Program: This meeting will review applications for Interpreting America’s Historic Places in Planning and Implementation Grants Program, submitted to the Division of Public Programs, at the January 23, 2008 deadline. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES 5. Date: April 10, 2008. Time: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Room: 415. Program: This meeting will review applications for We the People Challenge Grants, submitted to the Office of Challenge Grants, at the February 5, 2008 deadline. 6. Date: April 14, 2008. Time: 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Room: 421. Program: This meeting will review applications for America’s Historical and Cultural Organizations in Planning and Implementation Grants Program, submitted to the Division of Public Programs, at the January 23, 2008 deadline. 7. Date: April 15, 2008. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Room: 421. Program: This meeting will review applications for America’s Media Makers in Production and Development Grants Program, submitted to the Division of Public Programs, at the January 23, 2008 deadline. 8. Date: April 17, 2008. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Room: 421. Program: This meeting will review applications for Interpreting America’s Historic Places in Planning and Implementation Grants Program, submitted to the Division of Public Programs, at the January 23, 2008 deadline. 9. Date: April 22, 2008. Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Room: 315. Program: This meeting will review applications for Summer Seminars and VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:39 Mar 17, 2008 Jkt 214001 Institutes for College and University Teachers, submitted to the Division of Education Programs, at the March 3, 2008 deadline. 10. Date: April 23, 2008. Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Room: 315. Program: This meeting will review applications for Summer Seminars and Institutes for School Teachers, submitted to the Division of Education Programs, at the March 3, 2008 deadline. 11. Date: April 24, 2008. Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Room: 315. Program: This meeting will review applications for Summer Seminars and Institutes for School Teachers, submitted to the Division of Education Programs, at the March 3, 2008 deadline. 12. Date: April 28, 2008. Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Room: 315. Program: This meeting will review applications for Summer Seminars and Institutes for College and University Teachers, submitted to the Division of Education Programs, at the March 3, 2008 deadline. 13. Date: April 29, 2008. Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Room: 315. Program: This meeting will review applications for Summer Seminars and Institutes for School Teachers, submitted to the Division of Education Programs, at the March 3, 2008 deadline. 14. Date: April 30, 2008. Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Room: 315. Program: This meeting will review applications for Summer Seminars and Institutes for College and University Teachers, submitted to the Division of Education Programs, at the March 3, 2008 deadline. Heather C. Gottry, Acting Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E8–5363 Filed 3–17–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7536–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Draft Regulatory Guide: Issuance, Availability Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Issuance, Availability of Draft Regulatory Guide (DG)–3032. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14501 B. Von Till, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555– 0001, telephone: (301) 415–0598 or email RWV@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: I. Introduction The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued for public comment a draft regulatory guide in the agency’s ‘‘Regulatory Guide’’ series. This series was developed to describe and make available to the public such information as methods that are acceptable to the NRC staff for implementing specific parts of the NRC’s regulations, techniques that the staff uses in evaluating specific problems or postulated accidents, and data that the staff needs in its review of applications for permits and licenses. The draft regulatory guide (DG), entitled, ‘‘Design, Construction, and Inspection of Embankment Retention Systems at Uranium Recovery Facilities,’’ is temporarily identified by its task number, DG–3032, which should be mentioned in all related correspondence. This draft guide updates and combines the guidance currently found in Revision 2 of Regulatory Guide 3.11, ‘‘Design, Construction, and Inspection of Embankment Retention Systems for Uranium Mills,’’ and Revision 1 of Regulatory Guide 3.11.1, ‘‘Operational Inspection and Surveillance of Embankment Retention Systems for Uranium Mill Tailings.’’ The mining and milling of uranium ores generates large volumes of liquid and solid wastes (tailings). These tailings are usually stored behind manmade retaining structures much like other commercial mining and milling operations. In addition, other liquid wastes from operations and groundwater corrective action activities at uranium recovery facilities are often retained behind evaporation pond embankments. This draft guide describes engineering practices and methods generally considered by the NRC to be satisfactory for the design, construction, and inspection of the embankment retention systems used for retaining liquid and solid wastes from uranium recovery operations. These practices and methods are the result of NRC review and action on a number of specific cases, and they reflect the latest engineering approaches acceptable to the NRC staff. If future information results in alternative methods, the NRC staff will review such methods to determine their acceptability. The NRC staff is of the opinion that the latest advances in geotechnical E:\FR\FM\18MRN1.SGM 18MRN1 14502 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 53 / Tuesday, March 18, 2008 / Notices mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES engineering, together with engineering experience and knowledge available in the field of water storage dams and retention structures, can be used in the design and construction of uranium recovery retention systems. The basic concepts of conventional water storage impoundments can be suitably modified to produce economical designs that will ensure the stability of the retention system and minimal contamination. Draft Guide 3032 describes methods and processes the NRC finds acceptable for the design, construction, and inspection of embankment retention systems at uranium recovery facilities. When finalized and issued, DG–3032 will be entered into the agency’s ‘‘Regulatory Guide’’ series as Revision 3 of Regulatory Guide 3.11 where it will replace both Revision 2 of Regulatory Guide 3.11 and Revision 1 of Regulatory Guide 3.11.1. II. Further Information The NRC staff is soliciting comments on DG–3032. Comments may be accompanied by relevant information or supporting data, and should mention DG–3032 in the subject line. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will be made available to the public in their entirety through the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS). Personal information will not be removed from your comments. You may submit comments by any of the following methods: 1. Mail comments to: Rulemaking, Directives, and Editing Branch, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555– 0001. 2. E-mail comments to: NRCREP@nrc.gov. 3. Hand-deliver comments to: Rulemaking, Directives, and Editing Branch, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on Federal workdays. 4. Fax comments to: Rulemaking, Directives, and Editing Branch, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission at (301) 415–5144. Requests for technical information about DG–3032 may be directed to the NRC Senior Program Manager, B. Von Till at (301) 415–0598 or e-mail at RWV@nrc.gov. Comments would be most helpful if received by May 16, 2008. Comments received after that date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the NRC is able to ensure consideration only for comments received on or before this date. Although a time limit is given, VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:39 Mar 17, 2008 Jkt 214001 comments and suggestions in connection with items for inclusion in guides currently being developed or improvements in all published guides are encouraged at any time. Electronic copies of DG–3032 are available through the NRC’s public Web site under Draft Regulatory Guides in the ‘‘Regulatory Guides’’ collection of the NRC’s Electronic Reading Room at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doccollections/. Electronic copies are also available in ADAMS (https:// www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html), under Accession No. ML080180036. In addition, regulatory guides are available for inspection at the NRC’s Public Document Room (PDR), which is located at 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. The PDR’s mailing address is USNRC PDR, Washington, DC 20555–0001. The PDR can also be reached by telephone at (301) 415–4737 or (800) 397–4205, by fax at (301) 415– 3548, and by e-mail to PDR@nrc.gov. Regulatory guides are not copyrighted, and Commission approval is not required to reproduce them. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 11th day of March, 2008. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Andrea D. Valentin, Chief, Regulatory Guide Development Branch, Division of Engineering, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. [FR Doc. E8–5400 Filed 3–17–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 50–382] Entergy Operations, Inc.; Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3; Exemption 1.0 Background Entergy Operations, Inc. (the licensee), is the holder of Facility Operating License No. NPF–38, which authorizes operation of the Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 (Waterford 3). The license provides, among other things, that the facility is subject to all rules, regulations, and orders of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) now or hereafter in effect. The facility consists of one pressurized-water reactor located in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. 2.0 Request/Action Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), 50.46(a)(1)(i), ‘‘Acceptance criteria for emergency core PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 cooling systems for light-water nuclear power reactors,’’ states: ‘‘Each boiling or pressurized light-water nuclear power reactor fueled with uranium oxide pellets within cylindrical zircaloy or ZIRLO cladding must be provided with an emergency core cooling system (ECCS) that must be designed so that its calculated cooling performance following postulated loss-of-coolant accidents conforms to the criteria set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.’’ Paragraph I.A.5 of Appendix K to 10 CFR Part 50 states: ‘‘Metal—Water Reaction Rate. The rate of energy release, hydrogen generation, and cladding oxidation from the metal/water reaction shall be calculated using the BakerJust equation (Baker, L., Just, L.C., ‘‘Studies of Metal Water Reactions at High Temperatures, III. Experimental and Theoretical Studies of the Zirconium-Water Reaction,’’ ANL–6548, page 7, May 1962).’’ The April 24, 2007 exemption request relates to the specific types of cladding material specified in the regulations. As written, the regulations presume the use of zircaloy or ZIRLOTM fuel rod cladding. Also, since the Baker-Just equation presumes the use of zircaloy clad fuel, strict application of the rule would not permit use of the equation for Optimized ZIRLOTM cladding for determining acceptable fuel performance. Thus, exemptions from the specific requirements of 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K to 10 CFR Part 50 are needed to allow a cladding alloy other than zircaloy or ZIRLOTM. Accordingly, this exemption would result in changes to the plant by allowing only the use of an alternative cladding alloy other than zircaloy or ZIRLOTM in lieu of meeting the specific cladding requirements of 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K to 10 CFR Part 50. Specifically, the exemption would allow the use of Optimized ZIRLOTM cladding. All other requirements of 10 CFR 50.46 and of Appendix K to 10 CFR Part 50 would remain applicable. 3.0 Discussion Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, the Commission may, upon application by any interested person or upon its own initiative, grant exemptions from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50 when (1) the exemptions are authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to public health or safety, and are consistent with the common defense and security; and (2) when special circumstances are present. As discussed below, special circumstances are present because the continued operation of Waterford 3 with zircaloy or ZIRLOTM fuel rod cladding, rather than with Optimized ZIRLOTM, is E:\FR\FM\18MRN1.SGM 18MRN1

Agencies

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 18, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14501-14502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5400]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Draft Regulatory Guide: Issuance, Availability

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Issuance, Availability of Draft Regulatory Guide (DG)-3032.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: B. Von Till, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone: (301) 415-0598 or e-
mail RWV@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued for public 
comment a draft regulatory guide in the agency's ``Regulatory Guide'' 
series. This series was developed to describe and make available to the 
public such information as methods that are acceptable to the NRC staff 
for implementing specific parts of the NRC's regulations, techniques 
that the staff uses in evaluating specific problems or postulated 
accidents, and data that the staff needs in its review of applications 
for permits and licenses.
    The draft regulatory guide (DG), entitled, ``Design, Construction, 
and Inspection of Embankment Retention Systems at Uranium Recovery 
Facilities,'' is temporarily identified by its task number, DG-3032, 
which should be mentioned in all related correspondence.
    This draft guide updates and combines the guidance currently found 
in Revision 2 of Regulatory Guide 3.11, ``Design, Construction, and 
Inspection of Embankment Retention Systems for Uranium Mills,'' and 
Revision 1 of Regulatory Guide 3.11.1, ``Operational Inspection and 
Surveillance of Embankment Retention Systems for Uranium Mill 
Tailings.''
    The mining and milling of uranium ores generates large volumes of 
liquid and solid wastes (tailings). These tailings are usually stored 
behind manmade retaining structures much like other commercial mining 
and milling operations. In addition, other liquid wastes from 
operations and ground-water corrective action activities at uranium 
recovery facilities are often retained behind evaporation pond 
embankments. This draft guide describes engineering practices and 
methods generally considered by the NRC to be satisfactory for the 
design, construction, and inspection of the embankment retention 
systems used for retaining liquid and solid wastes from uranium 
recovery operations. These practices and methods are the result of NRC 
review and action on a number of specific cases, and they reflect the 
latest engineering approaches acceptable to the NRC staff. If future 
information results in alternative methods, the NRC staff will review 
such methods to determine their acceptability.
    The NRC staff is of the opinion that the latest advances in 
geotechnical

[[Page 14502]]

engineering, together with engineering experience and knowledge 
available in the field of water storage dams and retention structures, 
can be used in the design and construction of uranium recovery 
retention systems. The basic concepts of conventional water storage 
impoundments can be suitably modified to produce economical designs 
that will ensure the stability of the retention system and minimal 
contamination. Draft Guide 3032 describes methods and processes the NRC 
finds acceptable for the design, construction, and inspection of 
embankment retention systems at uranium recovery facilities.
    When finalized and issued, DG-3032 will be entered into the 
agency's ``Regulatory Guide'' series as Revision 3 of Regulatory Guide 
3.11 where it will replace both Revision 2 of Regulatory Guide 3.11 and 
Revision 1 of Regulatory Guide 3.11.1.

II. Further Information

    The NRC staff is soliciting comments on DG-3032. Comments may be 
accompanied by relevant information or supporting data, and should 
mention DG-3032 in the subject line. Comments submitted in writing or 
in electronic form will be made available to the public in their 
entirety through the NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management 
System (ADAMS).
    Personal information will not be removed from your comments. You 
may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    1. Mail comments to: Rulemaking, Directives, and Editing Branch, 
Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001.
    2. E-mail comments to: NRCREP@nrc.gov.
    3. Hand-deliver comments to: Rulemaking, Directives, and Editing 
Branch, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, between 7:30 a.m. and 
4:15 p.m. on Federal workdays.
    4. Fax comments to: Rulemaking, Directives, and Editing Branch, 
Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission at (301) 
415-5144.
    Requests for technical information about DG-3032 may be directed to 
the NRC Senior Program Manager, B. Von Till at (301) 415-0598 or e-mail 
at RWV@nrc.gov.
    Comments would be most helpful if received by May 16, 2008. 
Comments received after that date will be considered if it is practical 
to do so, but the NRC is able to ensure consideration only for comments 
received on or before this date. Although a time limit is given, 
comments and suggestions in connection with items for inclusion in 
guides currently being developed or improvements in all published 
guides are encouraged at any time.
    Electronic copies of DG-3032 are available through the NRC's public 
Web site under Draft Regulatory Guides in the ``Regulatory Guides'' 
collection of the NRC's Electronic Reading Room at https://www.nrc.gov/
reading-rm/doc-collections/. Electronic copies are also available in 
ADAMS (https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html), under Accession No. 
ML080180036.
    In addition, regulatory guides are available for inspection at the 
NRC's Public Document Room (PDR), which is located at 11555 Rockville 
Pike, Rockville, Maryland. The PDR's mailing address is USNRC PDR, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001. The PDR can also be reached by telephone at 
(301) 415-4737 or (800) 397-4205, by fax at (301) 415-3548, and by e-
mail to PDR@nrc.gov.
    Regulatory guides are not copyrighted, and Commission approval is 
not required to reproduce them.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 11th day of March, 2008.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Andrea D. Valentin,
Chief, Regulatory Guide Development Branch, Division of Engineering, 
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research.
[FR Doc. E8-5400 Filed 3-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

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