[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-18249]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 27, 1994]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-139]

 

University of Washington; Environmental Assessment and Finding of 
No Significant Environmental Impact Regarding Proposed Renewal of 
Facility License No. R-73

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an amendment to Facility License No. R-73 for 
the University of Washington Research Reactor (the licensee) located on 
the University campus in Seattle, Washington.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

    This Environmental Assessment is written in connection with the 
proposed renewal date of February 14, 1999, for the facility license of 
the University of Washington Research Reactor (UWRR) at Seattle, 
Washington, in response to a timely application from the licensee dated 
August 10 and 31, 1989, as modified on February 14 and May 2, 1994. The 
proposed action would authorize possession, but not operation, of the 
facility, for a period of five years.

Need for the Proposed Action

    The license for the facility was due to expire on October 13, 1989. 
The licensee made a timely request for renewal as a possession only 
license on August 10 and 31, 1989, for a period of 20 years which was 
later modified on February 14, 1994 for a period of five years. The 
proposed action is required to authorize continued possession, but not 
operation, of the facility, so that the licensee can complete its 
decommissioning plan and ultimately decommission the reactor facility.

Alternatives to the Possession Action

    An alternative to the proposed action that was considered was not 
renewing the license. This alternative would have led to possession of 
a facility and radioactive material without authorization by law. This 
alternative did not provide an acceptable way for the licensee to 
possess the facility prior to decomissioning, or for decommissioning 
the facility in a controlled, coordinated manner. The other alternative 
was to renew the license for possession only a period of one year, but 
this would require license renewals on an annual basis until 
decommissioning is completed.

Environmental Impact

    The reactor is defueled and all special nuclear material and source 
material have been shipped offsite or transferred to the State license. 
The only remaining radioactivity at the facility is activated reactor 
components. There is no potential for generation of further radioactive 
materials. The extension of the facility license as a possession only 
license for a five year period allows the licensee time to complete its 
decommissioning plan and affords it a reasonable time to implement 
decommissioning. Further, providing additional time for the licensee to 
develop and implement the decommissioning plan should lessen the 
environmental impact, in that radioactive materials will continue to be 
depleted by the decay process and the licensee will have an opportunity 
to better plan and conduct decommissioning activities.

Alternatives Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources beyond those 
normally allocated for such activities.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's request and did not 
consult other agencies or persons.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon foregoing environmental assessment, the Commission has 
concluded that the proposed action will not have a significant effect 
on the quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission 
has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for 
this proposed action.
    For further details with respect to this action, see the licensee's 
request for a license renewal application dated August 10 and 31, 1989, 
as modified on February 14 and May 2, 1994. These documents are 
available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document 
Room, 2120 L Street NW., Washington, DC 20555.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 21st day of July 1994.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Seymour H. Weiss,
Director, Non-Power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate, 
Division of Operating Reactor Support, Office of Nuclear Reactor 
Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-18249 Filed 7-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M