[Federal Register: March 3, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 41)] [Notices] [Page 10330-10331] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr03mr99-124] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket 72-9] Department of Energy Issuance of Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Regarding the Proposed Exemption From Requirements of 10 CFR Part 20 By letter dated December 10, 1997, as supplemented by letter dated December 9, 1998, the Department of Energy (DOE or applicant) requested an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 20.1501(c) related to DOE's proposed operation of the Fort St. Vrain (FSV) Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI). The facility is located in Weld County, Colorado. Environmental Assessment (EA) Identification of Proposed Action The applicant is seeking Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) approval to take possession of NRC Materials License SNM- 2504 to operate the FSV ISFSI. The FSV ISFSI is an existing facility constructed and licensed to store spent nuclear fuel from the formerly licensed Fort St. Vrain High Temperature Gas Reactor. By letter dated December 17, 1996, DOE submitted an application to transfer SNM-2504 from Public Service Company of Colorado (the current license holder) to DOE. The NRC staff is currently performing a review of that application. In a December 10, 1997, supplement to the application, DOE requested an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 20.1501(c). Section 20.1501(c) states, in part, that ``All personnel dosimeters * * * that require processing * * * must be processed and evaluated by a dosimetry processor * * * (1) Holding current personnel dosimetry accreditation from the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. * * *'' Specifically, the applicant has requested authorization to use the Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP) as an alternative dosimetry processing accreditation standard. Need for the Proposed Action The applicant is preparing to operate the FSV ISFSI as described in its application and accompanying safety analysis report (SAR), subject to transference of the existing NRC License SNM-2504 to DOE. The applicant is implementing programs and procedures necessary to operate the ISFSI and seeks to have those programs make efficient use of resources. One of the programs developed by DOE is the capability to monitor personnel occupational radioactive dose for routine and non- routine activities at the FSV ISFSI. Personnel dosimetry requires processing by a qualified processing facility. DOE prefers to use a processing organization that currently processes dosimetry for its Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). That processor is accredited under the DOE Laboratory Accreditation Program, rather than under the NVLAP program. To support the efficient use of resources, DOE has requested to use a DOELAP accreditation process for processing personnel dosimetry associated with FSV. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has examined both the NVLAP and DOELAP accreditation processes and standards. Both the NVLAP and DOELAP programs have similar requirements in that they incorporate similar test categories (type of radiation and energy levels), tolerance levels, bias, and performance criteria. The staff concluded that the DOELAP process is [[Page 10331]] at least as stringent as the NVLAP process and further concludes that, for the FSV ISFSI, the DOELAP process is an acceptable alternative to the NVLAP process required by 10 CFR 20.1501(c). The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed transfer of SNM- 2504 (62 FR 15737, April 2, 1997) considered the potential environmental impacts of transfer of the FSV ISFSI license from the existing licensee, Public Service Company of Colorado, to DOE. The proposed actions now under consideration would not change the potential environmental effects assessed in the April 2, 1997, EA. Specifically, there are no environmental impacts associated with the accreditation program for personnel dosimetry processing, which is purely an administrative function. Alternatives to the Proposed Action Since there are no significant environmental impacts associated with the proposed action, any alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact are not evaluated. The alternative to the proposed action would be to deny approval of the exemption and, therefore, not allow use of the DOELAP accreditation program by DOE. These alternatives would have no significant environmental impacts as well. Agencies and Persons Consulted Officials from the State of Colorado were contacted about the EA for the proposed action and had no concerns. Finding of No Significant Impact The environmental impacts of the proposed action have been reviewed in accordance with the requirements set forth in 10 CFR part 51. Based upon the foregoing EA, the Commission finds that the proposed action of granting an exemption from 10 CFR 20.1501(c) so that DOE may use a DOELAP accreditation program, rather than an NVLAP program as required by existing regulations, will not significantly impact the quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed exemption. This application was docketed under 10 CFR Part 72, Docket 72-9. For further details with respect to this action, see the application for an ISFSI license dated December 17, 1996, the request for exemption dated December 10, 1997, and supplement dated December 9, 1998, which are available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20555. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 19th day of February, 1999. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. E. William Brach, Director, Spent Fuel Project Office, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 99-5200 Filed 3-2-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P