NRC: News Release - 2001-034 - NRC To Hold Workshop April 4 on Public Participation Issues

				Search Options
Index \| Site Map \| FAQ \| Facility Info \| Reading Rm \| New \| Help \| Glossary \| Contact Us

NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Public Affairs	Telephone: 301/415-8200
Washington, DC 20555-0001	E-mail: opa@nrc.gov
www.nrc.gov

No. 01-034

March 26, 2001

NRC TO HOLD WORKSHOP APRIL 4 ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ISSUES

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a workshop April 4 in Rockville, Maryland, to identify areas of potential improvement in the agency's public participation policies and practices.

The workshop will be held in the auditorium of the agency's Two White Flint North building, 11545 Rockville Pike, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The complete agenda is attached.

The format of the meeting will be a facilitated roundtable discussion to encourage a frank exchange among stakeholders and NRC staff for potential improvements in how the public can effectively participate in NRC activities in a meaningful way.

Further information about the workshop and participation via telephone can be obtained from the facilitator, Francis X. ("Chip") Cameron at 301-415-1642 or by email at fxc@nrc.gov

###

AGENDA FOR NRC PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ISSUES

8:30 a.m. --		Welcome, objectives, format and ground rules, agenda overview, participant introductions, F.X. "Chip" Cameron, Facilitator
8:45 a.m. --		Context: The current NRC framework for public participation, Patricia G. Norry, NRC Deputy Executive Director for Management Services
9:00 a.m. --		Questions and answers on the NRC framework
9:30 a.m. --		Participant discussion: Opportunities for improvement in NRC public participation activities: identification of issues and supporting data:

		Selected issues:
		The need for different policies for different types of meetings, i.e., business meetings with individual licensees, enforcement conferences, meetings specifically designed to solicit public comment;
		Timely and clear notice of meetings;
		Provision of phone access to various types of meetings;
		Provision of relevant background documents;
		Access to NRC information generally;
		Documentation of public comments, response to questions and answers;
		Ensuring fairness and consistency;
		How effectively does the NRC communicate information on risk?
		Other issues?

10:15 a.m. --		Break
10:45 a.m. --		Identification of issues--continued
12:00 --		Lunch
1:00 p.m. --		Participant discussion: Potential solutions to issues and discussion of costs and benefits of potential solutions
3:00 p.m. --		Break
3:15 p.m. --		Ongoing Process Solutions;
		Staff contact for public participation issues; Periodic meetings; Public advocate; Feedback forms; Other issues.
4:40 p.m. --		Next steps/need for additional meetings
5:00 p.m. --		Adjourn