[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 39523] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-19365] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY [Docket No. FEMA-REP-4-TN-2] Tennessee Multi-Jurisdictional Radiological Emergency Response Plan for the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). ACTION: Finding and Determination. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: FEMA gives notice of approval of the State of Tennessee and local radiological emergency response plans and preparedness site- specific to the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. DATES: This certification and approval are effective as of July 3, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regional Director, FEMA Region IV, 3003 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30341. Please refer to Docket No. FEMA-REP-4-TN-2. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Rule, Title 44 CFR, Part 350, the State of Tennessee originally submitted the offsite Multi-Jurisdictional Radiological Emergency Response Plan (MJRERP) site-specific to the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, located in Rhea County, Tennessee, to the Regional Director of FEMA Region IV in March 1993, for FEMA review and approval. On December 15, 1995, in accordance with Title 44, CFR Part 350 and the Memorandum of Understanding between FEMA and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), FEMA prepared an Interim Findings Report regarding the adequacy of the offsite radiological emergency response plans and preparedness site-specific to Watts Bar, based on a review and evaluation of the MJRERP, and the October 6-7, 1993, and November 15, 1995, exercises of the offsite plans. Subsequently, on May 24, 1996, the Regional Director submitted a final evaluation and recommendation for formal approval of the MJRERP to the Associate Director for Preparedness, Training and Exercises in accordance with Section 350.11 of the FEMA Rule. However, during the Headquarters review process several issues were identified which were referred back to FEMA Region IV for clarification. The Regional Director subsequently addressed the issues requiring clarification and resubmitted the evaluation to FEMA Headquarters on April 14, 1997. Included in this evaluation was a final review of the full participation offsite radiological emergency preparedness exercise conducted on November 15, 1995, in accordance with Section 350.9 of the FEMA Rule. Based on the evaluation and recommendation for approval by the FEMA Region IV Director, the review by the Federal Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee (FRPPC), and the review by the FEMA Headquarters staff, I find and determine that, in accordance with Section 350.12 of the FEMA Rule, the State of Tennessee and local radiological emergency response plans and preparedness site-specific to the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant are adequate to protect the health and safety of the public living in the vicinity of the plant. The offsite radiological emergency response plans and preparedness are assessed as adequate in that there is reasonable assurance that appropriate protective measures can be taken offsite in the event of a radiological emergency and that the plans are capable of being implemented. The prompt alert and notification system installed and operational around the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant was previously approved by FEMA on December 15, 1995, in accordance with the criteria of NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 1, Appendix 3, and FEMA REP-10, ``Guide for the Evaluation of Alert and Notification Systems for Nuclear Power Plants.'' FEMA will continue to review the status of offsite plans and preparedness site-specific to the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant in accordance with Section 350.13 of the FEMA Rule. Dated: July 3, 1997. Kay C. Goss, Associate Director for Preparedness, Training, and Exercises. [FR Doc. 97-19365 Filed 7-22-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6718-06-P