[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 7, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30118-30120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13977]



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

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-443]


North Atlantic Energy Service Corporation, Seabrook Station, Unit 
No. 1; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from Facility Operating License 
No. NPF-86, issued to North Atlantic Energy Service Corporation (the 
licensee or North Atlantic), for operation of the Seabrook Station, 
Unit No. 1 (Seabrook) located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

 Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    This Environmental Assessment has been prepared to address 
potential environmental issues related to North Atlantic's request for 
exemption dated October 17, 1994, as supplemented by letters dated 
February 13, 1995, April 26, 1995, and May 12, 1995. The proposed 
action would exempt North Atlantic from certain requirements of 10 CFR 
73.55. The proposed action would allow North Atlantic to eliminate 
issuing and retrieving photograph identification badges at the entrance 
and exit location to the Seabrook protected area upon implementation of 
a biometric (hand geometry) system of site access control. North 
Atlantic would be authorized to permit all individuals with unescorted 
access, including North Atlantic employees, contractor personnel, NRC 
employees, and others to retain their badges when leaving the Seabrook 
protected area.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The requirements for the establishment and maintenance of a 
physical protection system against theft of special nuclear material 
and against radiological sabotage at certain sites where special 
nuclear material is used are prescribed in 10 CFR Part 73. Facilities 
licensed under 10 CFR Part 50 are included in the scope of 10 CFR Part 
73. Paragraph 73.55(a) specifies the general performance objectives and 
requirements of an onsite physical protection system and security 
organization, and paragraphs 73.55(b) through 73.55(h) specify minimum 
[[Page 30119]] specific requirements for the onsite physical protection 
system and security organization. Access requirements are specified in 
73.55(d). Paragraph 73.55(d)(1) requires that licensees control all 
points of personnel and vehicle access into a protected area, and 
73.55(d)(5) requires a numbered picture badge identification system to 
be used for all individuals who are authorized access to protected 
areas without escort. Paragraph 73.55(d)(5) also states that an 
individual not employed by the licensee may be authorized access to 
protected areas without escort provided the individual receives a 
picture badge upon entrance into the protected area which must be 
returned upon exit from the protected area.
    Currently, unescorted access into protected areas of Seabrook is 
controlled through the use of a numbered picture badge and an attached 
but separate keycard (containing encoded information to relate the 
keycard to the badged individual) which is used to actuate the entrance 
turnstile for access into the protected area and certain other specific 
areas authorized within the protected area. The badges and keycards for 
all individuals who have been granted unescorted access, including 
North Atlantic employees, contractor personnel, NRC employees, and 
others, are stored by security personnel at the entrance to the 
protected area whenever they are not being used by the authorized 
individuals. Security personnel stationed at the entrance to the 
protected area use the photograph on the badge to visually verify the 
identity of an individual requesting access. After verification, the 
badge and keycard are issued to the individual to allow entrance to the 
protected area. The badge and keycard are retrieved when the individual 
is exiting the protected area. In accordance with the Seabrook Physical 
Security Plan and Safeguards Contingency Plan, no individual is allowed 
to retain a badge and keycard when leaving the protected area.
     North Atlantic proposes to implement an alternative unescorted 
access control system which would eliminate the need to issue and 
retrieve badges and keycards at the protected area entrance/exit 
location and, instead, would allow all individuals with unescorted 
access to retain their badges and keycards when leaving the protected 
area.
    An exemption from 10 CFR 73.55(d)(5) is required to permit 
individuals who are not North Atlantic employees to take their numbered 
picture badges from the protected area.
    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action. 
Under the proposed system, each individual who is authorized for 
unescorted entry into the protected area would have the physical 
characteristics of their hand (hand geometry) registered with their 
badge number and keycard in the access control system. When an 
individual inserts the keycard into the card reader and places the hand 
on the measuring surface, the system would record the individual's hand 
image. The unique characteristics of the extracted hand image would be 
compared with the previously stored template associated with that badge 
and keycard to verify authorization for entry. All individuals 
authorized for unescorted access would be allowed to retain their badge 
and keycard when leaving the protected area.
    Based on Sandia Laboratory report, SAND91--0276 UC--906, A 
Performance Evaluation of Biometric Identification Devices, (Unlimited 
Release, Printed June 1991), and on North Atlantic's experience with 
the current photo-identification system, North Atlantic demonstrated 
that the proposed hand geometry system would provide enhanced site 
access control. Since the badge, keycard, and hand geometry would be 
necessary for access into the protected area, the proposed system would 
provide for a positive verification process. Loss of either a picture 
badge, keycard or both badge and keycard outside the protected area 
would not enable an unauthorized entry into the protected area. North 
Atlantic will implement a process for testing the proposed system to 
ensure continued overall level of performance equivalent to that 
specified in the regulation. The Physical Security Plan and Safeguards 
Contingency Plan for Seabrook will be revised to include implementation 
and testing of the hand geometry access control system and to allow 
badges and keycards to be taken from the protected area.
    The access will continue to be under the observation of security 
personnel. A numbered picture badge identification system will continue 
to be used for all individuals who are authorized access to protected 
areas without escorts, and picture badges will continue to be displayed 
by all individuals while inside the protected area.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed 
exemption and concludes that there will be no changes to Seabrook or 
the environment as a result of this action. The proposed exemption does 
not in any way affect the manner by which the facility is operated or 
change the facility itself. Accordingly, the Commission concludes that 
the proposed action would result in no radiological or nonradiological 
environmental impact.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded there is no environmental impact 
associated with the proposed action, any alternatives with equal or 
greater environmental impact need not be evaluated. The principal 
alternative to the action would be to deny the request. Such action 
would not change any current environmental impacts. The environmental 
impacts of the proposed action and the alternative action are similar.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the 
Seabrook Station, Unit No. 1.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on May 17, 1995 the NRC staff 
consulted with the Massachusetts State official, Mr. James Muckerheid 
of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency regarding the 
environmental impact of the proposed action. On May 18, 1995 the NRC 
staff consulted with the New Hampshire State official, Mr. George 
Iverson of the New Hampshire Emergency Management Agency. The State 
officials had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based on the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes 
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 the 
proposed action.
    For further details with respect to the proposed action, see North 
Atlantic's letters dated October 17, 1994, February 13, 1995, April 26, 
1995, and May 12, 1995, which are available for public inspection at 
the Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L 
Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public document room 
located at the Exeter Public Library, Founders Park, Exeter, NH 03833.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 31st day of May 1995.

    [[Page 30120]] For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Phillip F. McKee,
Director, Project Directorate I-3, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-13977 Filed 6-6-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M