[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 208 (Friday, October 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55068-55069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26682]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No.: 40-00672]


Nuclear Metals, Inc.: Concord, Massachusetts Holding Basin

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice: Receipt of amendment request for decommissioning the 
Nuclear Metals, Inc., Holding Basin in Concord, Massachusetts and 
opportunity for a hearing.

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

SUMMARY: This notice informs the public that the U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission is considering issuance of an amendment to Source 
Material License No. SMB-179, issued to Nuclear Metals, Inc. (NMI) to 
authorize decommissioning of the licensee's holding basin in Concord, 
Massachusetts. Successful implementation of the procedures described in 
the amendment request would lead to removal of the material in the 
holding basin and remediation of adjacent soils to meet the current NRC 
criteria for release for unrestricted use. Remediation of any 
groundwater contamination and other site areas is not included in this 
action, but will be addressed as a separate matter.

DATES: Written comments on the amendment request should be received by 
November 30, 1995. Written comments received after November 30, 1995, 
will be considered if it is practical to do so.
    Requests for hearing must be filed by November 27, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the amendment request should be sent to 
Chief, Rules Review and Directives Branch, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC. 20555-0001. Hand deliver comments to 15455 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland.
    In accordance with 10 CFR 2.1205(e), each request for a hearing 
must also be served, by delivering it personally or by mail, to:
    (1) The applicant, Nuclear Metals, Inc., 2229 Main Street, Concord, 
Massachusetts 01742, Attention: Frank Vumbaco; and
    (2) The NRC staff, by delivery to the Executive Director for 
Operations, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 
20852 or by mail addressed to the Executive Director for Operations, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marie Miller, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Region I, (610) 337-5205.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The licensee (NMI) requested an amendment, 
by letter dated August 15, 1995, to approve the Decommissioning Plan 
for the Holding Basin (DP) submitted with the letter. NMI manufactures 
products from depleted uranium and had until 1985, discharged liquid 
process materials containing copper and depleted uranium oxides and 
hydroxides into an unlined holding basin. The holding basin, situated 
in the south central section of the licensee's property and 
approximately 600 feet from the nearest residential property, contains 
approximately 350,000 pounds of depleted uranium and 700,000 pounds of 
copper.
    The NRC staff reviewed, and by NRC letter dated March 24, 1994, 
concluded that the holding basin had been adequately characterized 
based on the Site Characterization Report for the Holding Basin 
Addendum I, dated January 6, 1994. Characterization of the groundwater 
and other onsite areas are ongoing and will be addressed after removal 
of the holding basin materials.
    The request before the NRC at this time is to approve the 
Decommissioning Plan for the Holding Basin which, if properly 
implemented and completed, will lead to removal of the contents of the 
holding basin and unrestricted use of the area. The DP indicates that 
an enclosure will be constructed to minimize the potential for 
infiltration of sludge constituents into the ground water, and to 
contain any potential airborne sludge material. All low level 
radioactive waste will be transported by truck to a low level 
radioactive waste disposal facility. NMI indicates the remediation 
activities will begin by April 1, 1996, if they can obtain the 
necessary approval from NRC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Department of Environmental Protection, and will take about 16 months 
to complete.
    The NRC hereby requests public comments and provides notice of an 
opportunity for a hearing on the license amendment under the provisions 
of 10 CFR Part 2, Subpart L, ``Informal Hearing Procedures for 
Adjudications in Materials and Operator Licensing Proceedings.'' 
Pursuant to Sec. 2.1205(a), any person whose interest may be affected 
by this proceeding may file a request for a hearing in accordance with 
Sec. 2.1205(c). A request for a hearing must be filed within thirty 
(30) days of the date of publication of this Federal Register notice. 
In addition to meeting other applicable requirements of 10 CFR Part 2 
of the 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 requestor 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 
Sec. 2.1205(g);
    (3) The requestor's areas 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 Sec. 2.1205(c).
    In addition to offering the opportunity for a hearing, as required 
by regulation, NRC is inviting public comment on the amendment request 
early in the review process and prior to acting on the request. NRC 
considers public involvement and comment more meaningful prior to 
authorizing decommissioning activities at the site.
    The application for amendment request is available for inspection 
at the 

[[Page 55069]]
Commission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street NW., Washington, DC 
20555, at NRC's Region I offices located at 475 Allendale Road, King of 
Prussia, PA 19406 or at the Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main 
Street, Concord, MA 01742. Persons desiring to review documents at the 
Region I Office, should call Ms. Sheryl Villar at (610) 337-5239 
several days in advance to assure that the documents will be readily 
available for review.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of October, 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Michael F. Weber,
Chief, Low-Level Waste and Decommissioning Projects Branch, Division of 
Waste Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 95-26682 Filed 10-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P