[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 67100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33422]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Consolidated Guidance about Materials Licenses: Program-Specific 
Guidance About Fixed Gauge Licenses; Availability of Draft NUREG

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is announcing the 
availability of and requesting comment on draft NUREG-1556, Volume 4, 
``Consolidated Guidance about Materials Licenses: Program-Specific 
Guidance about Fixed Gauge Licenses,'' dated October 1997.
    NRC is using Business Process Redesign (BPR) techniques to redesign 
its materials licensing process, as described in NUREG-1539, 
``Methodology and Findings of the NRC's Materials Licensing Process 
Redesign.'' A critical element of the new process is consolidating and 
updating numerous guidance documents into a NUREG-series of reports. 
This draft NUREG report is the fourth program-specific guidance 
developed to support an improved materials licensing process.
    It is intended for use by applicants, licensees, NRC license 
reviewers, and other NRC personnel. It combines and updates the 
guidance for applicants and licensees previously found in Draft 
Regulatory Guide and Value/Impact Statement, FC 404-4, ``Guide for the 
Preparation of Applications for Licenses for the Use of Sealed Sources 
in Nonportable Gauging Devices,'' dated January 1985, and the guidance 
for licensing staff previously found in Policy and Guidance Directive, 
FC 85-4, ``Standard Review Plan for Applications for the Use of Sealed 
Sources in Nonportable Gauging Devices,'' dated February 6, 1985, and 
Policy and Guidance Directive, FC 85-8, Revision 1, ``Licensing of 
Fixed Gauges and Similar Devices,'' dated June 29, 1988. In addition, 
this draft report also contains pertinent information found in 
Technical Assistance Requests and Information Notices.
    This draft report takes a risk-informed, performance-based approach 
to licensing fixed gauges, i.e., it reduces the amount of information 
needed from an applicant seeking to possess and use a relatively safe 
device. These fixed gauges contain sealed sources of radioactive 
material and incorporate features engineered to enhance their safety. 
NRC's considerable experience with these licensees indicates that 
radiation exposures to workers are generally low, if the gauges are 
operated as designed and workers follow basic safety procedures.
    This draft report is strictly for public comment and is NOT for use 
in preparing or reviewing applications for fixed gauges until it is 
published in final form. It is being distributed for comment to 
encourage public participation in its development.

DATES: The comment period ends March 23, 1998. Comments received after 
that time will be considered if practicable.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to: Chief, Rules and Directives 
Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Office of Administration, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Hand 
deliver comments to 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, between 
7:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Federal workdays. Comments may also be 
submitted through the Internet by addressing electronic mail to 
[email protected].
    Those considering public comment may request a free single copy of 
draft NUREG-1556, Volume 4, by writing to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Attn: Sally L. Merchant, Mail Stop TWFN 8F5, Washington, DC 
20555-0001. Alternatively, submit requests through the Internet by 
addressing electronic mail to [email protected]. A copy of draft NUREG-1556, 
Volume 4, is also available for inspection and/or copying for a fee in 
the NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW. (Lower Level), 
Washington, DC 20555-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sally Merchant, Mail Stop TWFN 8-F5, 
Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, Office of Nuclear 
Materials Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555, telephone (301) 415-7874; electronic mail 
address: [email protected].

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 16th day of December, 1997.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Larry W. Camper,
Chief, Medical, Academic, and Commercial Use Safety Branch, Division of 
Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, Office of Nuclear Material 
Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 97-33422 Filed 12-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P