[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]


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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.

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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