[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 88 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 24977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11860]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 27-48]


Notice of Amendment Consideration; US Ecology

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Consideration of an amendment to a license for disposal of low-
level radioactive waste containing special nuclear material by US 
Ecology, incorporated and transfer of license to the State of 
Washington, and an opportunity for a hearing.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering a 
request to amend License No. 16-19204-01. This license is issued to US 
Ecology, Incorporated (US Ecology) for the disposal of wastes 
containing special nuclear material (SNM) in the low-level radioactive 
waste (LLW) disposal facility, located near Richland, Washington. NRC 
licenses this facility under 10 CFR part 70. The amendment would reduce 
the SNM possession limit of the license, and NRC would subsequently 
transfer the license to the State of Washington. Washington Department 
of Health (WADOH) already regulates disposal of source and byproduct 
material at the Richland facility.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy E. Harris, Low-Level Waste and 
Decommissioning Projects Branch, Division of Waste Management, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Telephone: 
(301) 415-6613. Fax.: (301) 415-5398.

Background

    The LLW disposal facility located near Richland, Washington, is 
licensed by NRC for possession, storage, and disposal of SNM. The State 
of Washington licenses disposal of source and byproduct material at the 
facility. In correspondence dated March 31, 1997, US Ecology requested 
amendment of its NRC SNM license and subsequent transfer of the license 
to the State. As justification for the request, US Ecology noted a 
reduction in SNM-bearing waste volumes and the diminished cost-
effectiveness of the license. Currently, the NRC license permits 
possession, storage, and disposal of greater than critical mass 
quantities of SNM, and acknowledges that the State-regulated source and 
byproduct disposal activities constitute the major site activities. 
Possession, storage, and disposal of less than critical mass quantities 
can be regulated by Agreement States, in accordance with 10 CFR part 
150 (Exemptions and Continued Regulatory Authority in Agreement States 
and in Offshore Waters Under Section 274). Specifically, Sec. 150.11 
defines less than critical mass limits of SNM which can be regulated by 
Agreement States.
    NRC plans to amend the license to reduce the SNM possession limit 
to those specified in Sec. 150.11. This amendment will result in a 
change in process operations. The reduction in possession limit will 
not significantly change the types or amounts of effluents that may be 
released offsite, will not increase individual or cumulative 
occupational radiation exposure, will not be a significant construction 
impact, and will not significantly increase the potential for or 
consequences from radiological accidents. Accordingly, the amendment is 
categorically exempt from an environmental assessment under 10 CFR 
51.22(c)(11). Following issuance of this amendment, NRC will transfer 
the license to WADOH.
    NRC provides notice that this is a proceeding on an application for 
a license amendment falling within the scope of Subpart L, ``Informal 
Hearing Procedures for Adjudication in Materials Licensing 
Proceedings,'' of NRC's rules and practice for domestic licensing 
proceedings in 10 CFR Part 2. 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 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 requester in the proceeding;
    2. How that interest may be affected by the results of the 
proceeding, including the reasons why the requester should be permitted 
a hearing, with particular reference to the factors set out in 
Sec. 2.1205(g);
    3. The requester'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 accordance with 10 CFR Sec. 2.1205(e), each request for a 
hearing must also be served, by delivering it personally or by mail, 
to:
    1. The applicant, US Ecology, Inc., 120 Franklin Road, Oak Ridge, 
Tennessee 37830, Attention: Ms. Sandra Beeler, and;
    2. NRC staff, by delivery to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Attention: Rulemakings and 
Adjudication Branch; or hand-deliver comments to: 11555 Rockville Pike, 
Rockville, MD between 7:45 am and 4:15 pm, Federal workdays.
    For further details with respect to this action, the application 
for amendment request is available for inspection at NRC's Public 
Document Room, 2120 L Street NW., Washington, DC 20555.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day of April 1997.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John W.N. Hickey,
Chief, Low-Level Waste and Decommissioning Projects Branch, Division of 
Waste Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 97-11860 Filed 5-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P