[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 97 (Friday, May 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24937-24938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12460]



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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Public Meeting; Federal Purchase and Stockpile of Potassium 
Iodide for Use by the General Public in a Radiological Emergency

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting.

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SUMMARY: FEMA announces the following committee meeting:

NAME: Federal Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee (FRPCC), 
Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Potassium Iodide (KI).

DATES: The meeting will be held June 27, 1996. Any individuals or 
organizations interested in attending the public meeting or making oral 
presentations must so indicate by 4:00 PM, May 31, 1996.

TIME OF MEETING: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM.

PLACE: Federal Emergency Management Agency, room 401, 500 C Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20472.

PROPOSED AGENDA: The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM with a presentation 
by the Subcommittee on the background of the Federal potassium iodide 
policy. That presentation will be followed by a statement of the 
current issues raised in the Petition for Rulemaking submitted to the 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and in letters to the Director of 
FEMA. The meeting will then turn to attendees who have indicated that 
they want to make oral presentations, including response to any 
questions that may be asked by members of the Subcommittee. The meeting 
will adjourn after the Subcommittee and attendees have completed their 
presentations and any interaction on the subject matter.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FRPCC issued its policy on the use of KI 
as a thyroid blocking agent on July 24, 1985 (50 FR 30258). On December 
6, 1994, the FRPCC adopted a September 15, 1994 report and 
recommendations of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Potassium Iodide after 
review of the issues affecting the purchase and stockpile of KI by the 
Federal government. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee found no basis for changing 
the 1985 Federal policy, which states that KI should be purchased and 
stockpiled for emergency workers and institutionalized persons, and 
that the decision on its use as a protective action for the general 
public resides with the State, and in some cases, with local health 
authorities.
    The FRPCC is again reviewing the issue of the Federal purchase, 
stockpile and use of KI by the general public in the event of a 
radiological emergency at a commercial nuclear power plant. The 
Petition for Rulemaking submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission requests that 10 CFR Part 50.47(a)(10) be revised to read: 
``A range of protective actions, including sheltering, evacuation, and 
prophylactic use of iodine, have been developed for the plume exposure 
EPZ [emergency planning zone] for emergency workers and the general 
public.'' In addition, the same Petitioner requested FEMA to reconsider 
the 1985 Federal Policy. Accordingly, the Federal Radiological 
Preparedness Coordinating Committee formed an Ad Hoc Subcommittee to 
review and re-evaluate the issue.
    The meeting will be open to the public with approximately 30 seats 
available on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals or 
representatives of organizations who plan to attend the meeting or make 
oral presentations should contact William F. McNutt, Chairman, Federal 
Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee, Ad Hoc Subcommittee 
on Potassium Iodide, room 634, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 
C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-2857; (facsimile) (202) 
646-4183, on or before 4:00 PM, May 31, 1996.


[[Page 24938]]


    Dated: May 10, 1996.
Kay C. Goss,
Associate Director for Preparedness, Training and Exercises.
[FR Doc. 96-12460 Filed 5-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-06-P