[Federal Register: October 30, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 210)]
[Notices]               
[Page 54792-54793]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30oc01-104]                         

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

 
Consideration of approval of a Decommissioning Plan for the 
Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation Facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 
and an Opportunity for a Hearing

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

ACTION: Consideration of Approval of a Decommissioning Plan for the 
Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation Facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 
and an opportunity for a hearing.

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    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering 
approval of the Phase 2 Decommissioning Plan (DP) for the Kaiser 
Aluminum and Chemical Corporation (Kaiser) Facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 
Decommissioning of the Kaiser facility is being conducted in two 
Phases. In Phase 1, Kaiser remediated the land adjacent to the Kaiser 
property. In Phase 2, Kaiser will remediate its facility. On May 25, 
2001, Kaiser submitted the Phase 2 DP. NRC performed an acceptance 
review, and on August 7, 2001, notified Kaiser that the information 
provided in the DP was sufficient to begin a technical review.
    Contamination at the Kaiser facility consists of metallic dross/
soil containing Th-228, Th-230, and Th-232, generated from smelting and 
manufacturing processes conducted from 1958 through 1970. The Phase 2 
DP identifies the decommissioning activities that will be undertaken to 
remediate the Kaiser facility and make the site suitable for 
unrestricted release.
    The NRC will require Kaiser to remediate its facility to meet NRC's 
decommissioning criteria in 10 CFR part 20, subpart E, ``Radiological 
Criteria for License Termination,'' and during the decommissioning 
activities, to maintain effluents and doses within NRC requirements, 
and as low as reasonably achievable.
    Prior to approving the DP, NRC will make findings in accordance 
with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and NRC's regulations. 
These findings will be documented in a Safety

[[Page 54793]]

Evaluation Report and an Environmental Assessment. Approval of the DP 
will be documented in the public record.
    Although Kaiser is no longer a licensee, as a matter of discretion, 
NRC has decided to treat approval of the DP as a proceeding under 
subpart L, ``Informal Hearing Procedures for Adjudication in Material 
Licensing Proceedings,'' of NRC's rules and practice for domestic 
licensing proceedings in 10 CFR part 2. Discretion is being exercised 
in this case because of: (1) The unusually large volume of soil to be 
removed from the site; (2) the significant complexity of this project; 
and, (3) the close proximity of the site to a major population center. 
Pursuant to 10 CFR 2.1205(a), any person whose interest may be affected 
by this proceeding may file a request for a hearing in accordance with 
part 2.1205(d). A request for a hearing must be filed within thirty 
(30) days of the date of publication of this Federal Register notice.
    Pusuant to 10 CFR 2.1203(b), the request for a hearing must be 
filed with the Office of the Secretary either:
    1. By delivery to the Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff of the 
Secretary at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 
20852-2738; or
    2. By mail or telegram addressed to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555. Attention: Rulemaking and 
Adjudications Staff.
    In addition to meeting other applicable requirements of 10 CFR part 
2 of NRC's regulations, a request for a hearing filed by a person other 
than an applicant must describe in detail:
    1. The interest of the requester in the proceeding;
    2. How that interest may be affected by the results of the 
proceeding, including the reasons why the requestor should be permitted 
a hearing, with particular reference to the factors set out in part 
2.1205(h);
    3. The requestor's area of concern about the licensing activity 
that is the subject matter of the proceeding; and
    4. The circumstances establishing that the request for a hearing is 
timely in accordance with part 2.1205(d).
    In accordance with 10 CFR 2.1205(f), each request for a hearing 
must also be served, by delivering it personally or by mail, to:
    1. The applicant, Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation, 
Attention: Mr. J. W. Vinzant
    2. The NRC staff, by delivery to the General Counsel, One White 
Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, or by mail, 
addressed to the General Counsel, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555.
    For further details with respect to this action, the Phase 2 DP is 
available for inspection at the NRC's Public Document Room, One White 
Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of October 2001.
    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Larry W. Camper,
Chief, Decommissioning Branch, Division of Waste Management, Office of 
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 01-27260 Filed 10-29-01; 8:45 am]
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